Tungsten hexachloride deoxygenation

Tungsten hexachloride, purchased from Pressure Chemical Company, was used without further purification. The dark blue-black crystals were pulverized in a dry box or glove bag under a nitrogen atmosphere prior to use. Upon exposure to air or moisture yellow or orange oxides form. Slight contamination from these products does not interfere with the deoxygenation. 

Deoxygenation. Sharpless et al.1 have prepared a series of lower valent tungsten halides from tungsten hexachloride as shown ... 

DEOXYGENATION, EPOXIDES Ferric chloride-n-Butyllithium. Potassium seleno-cyanate. Sodium cyclopentadienyldicarbonylferrate. Tungsten hexachloride. 

Two related procedures for reductive coupling of aromatic ketones with titanium-based reagents have been reported (Tyrlik and Wolochowicz, 1973 Mukaiyama et al., 1973). The deoxygenative dimerization of aromatic carbonyl compounds can be achieved with low-valent tungsten complexes formed from tungsten hexachloride and alkyllithium as well (Sharpless et al., 1972). 

---