The acetone is coordinated to the aluminium which activates it for the hydride transfer from the alkoxide. The aluminium-catalyzed hydride shift from the α-carbon of the alcohol to the carbonyl carbon of acetone proceeds over a six-membered transition state (8).
The coordination of acetone to aluminum activates it for the hydride transfer from the alkoxide. The aluminum-catalyzed hydride shift from the α-carbon of the alcohol to the carbonyl carbon of acetone proceeds through a six-membered transition state.