Electrochemical reduction chromium salt catalyst

An electrochemical reduction procedure using a chromium(II) salt as the catalyst is effective for the dehalogenation of P-hydroxy halides. This procedure is a convenient entry to deoxynucleosides, as shown in Scheme 8. 

Electrochemical methods for the reduction of halides have also been used in synthesis. For example, in the presence of chromium(II) salts as catalysts, deoxynucleosides have been prepared in DMF solutions with the use of a platinum electrode32. a-Halocarbonyl compounds have also been hydrodehalogenated in this way63,64. It should be noted, however, that this method is not always successful and significant problems have been reported in some instances65. 

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