Lithium bromide as a flexible, mild, and recyclable reagent for solvent-free Cannizzaro, Tishchenko, and Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reactions.

A room temperature convenient disproportionation or reduction of aldehydes prompted by lithium bromide and triethylamine is described in a solvent-free environment. Distribution of the products to selectively direct the process toward Cannizzaro or Tishchenko reactions is controlled by the type of workup selection. The presence of hydrogen donor alcohols in the mixture completely diverts the process toward the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reaction.