Isotope effect in the reduction of trifluoroacetophenone

Kinetic (k sub(H)/k sub(D)) and product (Y sub(H)/Y sub(D)) isotope effects have been studied for the reduction of α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenone with 1-propyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide in acetonitrile in the presence or absence of magnesium perchlorate. It is concluded that the magnesium ion catalyzes the initial electron-transfer process of the reduction. (auth.)