Metal-free reduction of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts with tetrahydroxydiboron/water?

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date: 2021-04-16 DOI: 10.1039/D1OB00300C

Abstract

A series of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts have been effectively reduced to the corresponding saturated carbonyls, dihydroxybenzenes, and hydropyridines in moderate to high yields with tetrahydroxydiboron/water as a mild, convenient, and metal-free reduction system. Deuterium-labeling experiments have revealed this protocol to be an exclusive transfer hydrogenation process from water.

Graphical abstract: Metal-free reduction of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts with tetrahydroxydiboron/water
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