hey patton !
i HATE Hg-Salts......
(who doesnt ?) I MANAGED TO SUBSTITUTE THE AGENT; to break the oxide layer, by catalyst poisoning,
YOU CAN USE SEVERAL OTHERS LIKE:
1. Gallinstan (known in newer lit. already, but a bit trickyer...)
2. Tetrachloroaurate with zinc-copper coupling complex.
===== BUT NOW, LADIES AND GERMS ============
PRE TREAT THE ALUMINUM CUTTINGS WITH ULTRA SONICATION BATH
(CREDITS TO ARTIFFICCIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES)
this f**king DID THE JOB !!!!!
tried it for p2p -> imine reduction......its comparable to my former NaBH4 dreams...!