Reduction of a-diketones and deoxygenation of amine N-oxide and arsine oxide by sodium hydrogen telluride were studied. a-Diketones could be partially reduced to the corresponding a-hydroxyketones in the presence of acetic acid. However, in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, the reaction took place much faster at lower temperature tert-Amine N-oxide and triphenylarsine oxide could be easily deoxygenated to the corresponding tert-amines and triphenylarsine without the presence of any acid. Sulfoxides were more difficult to be reduced while triphenylphosphine oxide remained unchanged under the same conditions. The possible mechanisms of the reduction and deoxygenation process are also suggested.

Key words: POLLUTIONS, SODIUM COMPOUNDS, REDUCTION, OXIDE, HYDRIDES, TELLURIDE, DIKETONE, DEOXIDIZATION