Phthalimide reduction mechanism

There is some typical dissolving-metal reductions like Birch, here is one example with zinc; https://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/clemmensen-reduction.shtm

I am not sure of the exact mechanism in you reduction, I think it is complicated.

Phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, and phthalimide can be reduced to phthalide with zinc, tin, and aluminum in both alkaline and acid conditions. The reaction has been known for about 100 years and nobody cared about its mechanism then. In addition, many reduction reactions and oxidation reactions with oxygen do not yet have a fully elucidated reaction mechanism. You may be the first.

Ok thank you for the information.

"The reaction has been known for about 100 years and nobody cared about its mechanism then"

lol

yes, i have looked at the clemmensen reduction, however in the phthalimide reduction results in an alcohol and an acid and not in an alkane.. Plus every metal reduction is in acidic conditions. The Phthalimid reduction is in basic conditions. This too doesn't make sense to me.