Borane ester reduction

Malate esters are easily reduced in a highly selective fashion using either diborane [40,41] or borane—methyl sulfide complex [42— 45] in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium borohydride (5 mol%) to give diol esters 45. Yields of 45a and 45b generally range from 80-97%, while 45c is formed in 60% yield [46]. Dimethyl (5)-malate is reduced with 99 1 selectivity as regards C-1 to C-4 ester reduction, while diethyl ( S)-malate shows even greater selectivity (200 1). 

Reduction of aldehydes and ketones is possible with borane. Stereoselective reduction of ketones is possible when a heteroatom is located a- or p- to the carbonyl group. Treatment of a (3-hydroxy-ketone with catecholborane results in the selective formation of the syn 1,3-diol product (7.94). The borane reacts preferentially with the alcohol to release hydrogen gas and to form the boronic ester 107. A second equivalent of the borane then effects the reduction to give the syn diastereomer. For the preparation of the anti diastereomer, triacetoxyborohydride can be used (see Scheme 7.86). 

A number of less hindered monoalkylboranes is available by indirect methods, eg, by treatment of a thexylborane—amine complex with an olefin (69), the reduction of monohalogenoboranes or esters of boronic acids with metal hydrides (70—72), the redistribution of dialkylboranes with borane (64) or the displacement of an alkene from a dialkylborane by the addition of a tertiary amine (73). To avoid redistribution, monoalkylboranes are best used /V situ or freshly prepared. However, they can be stored as monoalkylborohydrides or complexes with tertiary amines. The free monoalkylboranes can be hberated from these derivatives when required (69,74—76). Methylborane, a remarkably unhindered monoalkylborane, exhibits extraordinary hydroboration characteristics. It hydroborates hindered and even unhindered olefins to give sequentially alkylmethyl- and dialkylmethylboranes (77—80). 

This is one of the few methods available for the direct and efficient conversion of an acid, via the acid chloride, to an ortho ester. The preparation of the oxetane is straightforward, and a large number of oxetanes have been prepared [triol, (EtO)2CO, KOH]." In addition, the -butyl analogue has been used for the protection of acids. During the course of a borane reduction, the ortho ester was reduced to form a ketal. This was attributed to an intramolecular delivery of the hydride. ... 

The chemistry and procedures for modification of the - CO2H groups of PAA hyperbranched grafts on PE powder were analogous to those used for PAA grafts on PE or PP films and wafers. For example, a 90% yield in ester formation was possible using acid-catalyzed Fisher esterification. Likewise, quantitative reduction (ethyl chloroformate activation, borane-dimethyl sulfide reduction) to hyperbranched poly(allyl alcohol)s and amidation all could be carried out using procedures like those used for PAA/Au surfaces. 

Decomposition of the reaction mixtures with water followed by dilute acids applies also to the reductions with boranes and alanes. Modifications are occasionally needed, for example hydrolysis of esters of boric acid and the alcohols formed in the reduction. Heating of the mixture with dilute mineral acid or dilute alkali is sometimes necessary. 

Other reagents used for reduction are boranes and complex borohydrides. Lithium borohydride whose reducing power lies between that of lithium aluminum hydride and that of sodium borohydride reacts with esters sluggishly and requires refluxing for several hours in ether or tetrahydrofuran (in which it is more soluble) [750]. The reduction of esters with lithium borohydride is strongly catalyzed by boranes such as B-methoxy-9-bora-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and some other complex lithium borohydrides such as lithium triethylborohydride and lithium 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane. Addition of 10mol% of such hydrides shortens the time necessary for complete reduction of esters in ether or tetrahydrofuran from 8 hours to 0.5-1 hour [1060],... 

REDUCTION WITH BORANE IN SITU Reduction of Esters to Alcohols [738]... 

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