Reduction esters, nitriles

One development involves the use of vitamin B 2 to cataly2e chemical, in addition to biochemical processes. Vitamin B 2 derivatives and B 2 model compounds (41,42) cataly2e the electrochemical reduction of alkyl haUdes and formation of C—C bonds (43,44), as well as the 2inc—acetic acid-promoted reduction of nitriles (45), alpha, beta-unsaturated nitriles (46), alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives and esters (47,48), and olefins (49). It is assumed that these reactions proceed through intermediates containing a Co—C bond which is then reductively cleaved. 

The chemistry of indium metal is the subject of current investigation, especially since the reactions induced by it can be performed in aqueous solution.15 The selective reductions of ethyl 4-nitrobenzoate (entry 1), 2-nitrobenzyl alcohol (entry 2), l-bromo-4-nitrobenzene (entry 3), 4-nitrocinnamyl alcohol (entry 4), 4-nitrobenzonitrile (entry 5), 4-nitrobenzamide (entry 6), 4-nitroanisole (entry 7), and 2-nitrofluorenone (entry 8) with indium metal in the presence of ammonium chloride using aqueous ethanol were performed and the corresponding amines were produced in good yield. These results indicate a useful selectivity in the reduction procedure. For example, ester, nitrile, bromo, amide, benzylic ketone, benzylic alcohol, aromatic ether, and unsaturated bonds remained unaffected during this transformation. Many of the previous methods produce a mixture of compounds. Other metals like zinc, tin, and iron usually require acid-catalysts for the activation process, with resultant problems of waste disposal. 

The reaction tolerates ketone, chloride, internal C=C bonds, esters, nitriles, and ether functional groups. Given that the DIBAL-H reduction of acid derivatives often suffers from over-reduction to alcohols, these catalytic procedures are of synthetic value for laboratory-scale syntheses. However, it is likely that the requirement for excess (tBuCO)20 will prevent this reaction from ever being used in commercial production. 

Burk et al. showed the enantioselective hydrogenation of a broad range of N-acylhydrazones 146 to occur readily with [Et-DuPhos Rh(COD)]OTf [14]. The reaction was found to be extremely chemoselective, with little or no reduction of alkenes, alkynes, ketones, aldehydes, esters, nitriles, imines, carbon-halogen, or nitro groups occurring. Excellent enantioselectivities were achieved (88-97% ee) at reasonable rates (TOF up to 500 h ) under very mild conditions (4 bar H2, 20°C). The products from these reactions could be easily converted into chiral amines or a-amino acids by cleavage of the N-N bond with samarium diiodide. 

In the cathodic reduction of activated olefins, chlorosilanes also act as trapping agents of anionic intermediates. Nishiguchi and coworkers described the electrochemical reduction of a,/ -unsaturated esters, nitriles, and ketones in the presence of Me3SiCl using a reactive metal anode (Mg, Zn, Al) in an undivided cell to afford the silylated compounds [78]. This reaction provides a valuable method for the introduction of a silyl group into activated olefins. 

Dihydro-4H-benzo[/]pyrrolo[l,2-fl][l,4]diazepin-4-one 220 is a product of reductive cyclizations of ester nitrile 219a (R = COOMe, = CN), while amido... 

Reduction of carboxylic acids 9-42 Reduction of carboxylic esters 9-43 Reduction of carboxylic esters with titanocene dichloride 9-44 Reduction of anhydrides 9-45 Reduction of acyl halides 9-53 Reduction of nitriles 9-57 Reduction of hydroperoxides 9-60 Reduction of peroxides 9-69 Reaction between aldehydes and base (Cannizzaro)... 

Alcohols are easily accessible by reduction of carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes, ketones or carboxylic acid derivatives. While aldehydes, ketones and esters have been frequently used in microwave-assisted reductions, there have been no reports about the use of microwave technology in the reduction of nitriles or amides. 

Various activated olefins can also be employed instead of organic halide for the formation of a carbon-silicon bond. Thus, cathodic reduction of a,j -unsaturated esters, nitriles... 

Co2B in combination with i-BuNH BH3 is a new, superior reagent for selective reduction of nitriles to amines in 75-90% yield. It does not reduce a,/ -unsaturated esters to any extent and reduces alkenes and alkynes only slowly. 

Reduction of thiol esters. Thiol esters, R COSR2, are reduced to primary alcohols, R CH2OH, in high yield by NaBH4 in C2H5OH without reduction of nitrile, ester, and amide substituents.7... 

Reduction of esters, nitriles, and amides. These groups are rapidly reduced by horanc-dimcthyl sulfide in refluxing THF (b.p. 67°) if the dimethyl sulfide (b.p. 38°) is removed as liberated. Under these conditions, the reagent is comparable to uncomplexed diborane. Reduction of secondary and tertiary amides is best effected in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate otherwise, excess reagent is utilized for formation of complexes with the products. 

The binuclear hydride NaHFe2(CO)s, is also useful for clean conjugate reductions. This reagent is capable of selective 1,4-reduction of a,p-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes, esters, nitriles, amides and lactones in good yields (Scheme 54). Reductions are generally performed at -50 °C in a THF solution of NaHFe2(CO)g and HOAc. Usually, 2 or more equiv. of the reagent are required for the reduction of 1 equiv. of substrate. 

---