Heterometal Clusters Ln2Na8(OCH2CH2NMe2)12(OH)2 as Homogeneous Catalysts for the Tishchenko Reaction

The heterometal alkoxide clusters of Group 3 metal and lanthanides with sodium Ln2Na8(OCH2CH2NMe2)12(OH)2 (Ln=Y, lanthanide) were found to serve as highly active catalysts for the Tishchenko reaction of various aldehydes to form the corresponding esters. The reaction scope and the influence of lanthanide and sodium metal on the catalytic activity were investigated, and the proposed mechanism of the reaction was discussed.