Raney Nickel Reduction: To Alkane or Alcohol?

[justadream]

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TBR Ochem says Raney Nickel Reductions reduce aldehydes/ketones to alkanes. In my textbook (Wade Organic Chemistry 8th ed) I think it shows Raney Nickel being used to reduce them to alcohols. So which is it?

Picture from that textbook is attached.

 

[lNVlNClBLE]

In my organic 2 class it was taught as a reduction to an alkane.

Don't think it's required for the MCAT though.

 

[pepocho]

.

 

[dxcrunner]

Depends upon conditions. Aromatic acyl groups are easier to reduce due to their proximity to the aromatic ring. Alkyl ketones and aldehydes will only reduce to the alcohol.