Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 2010 |
---|---|
<mark>Journal</mark> | Chemistry - An Asian Journal |
Issue number | 3 |
Volume | 5 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 538-542 |
Publication Status | Published |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
1,4-Butanediol is able to deliver two equivalents of H(2) in hydrogen-transfer reactions to ketones, imines, and alkenes. Unlike simple alcohols, which establish equilibrium in the reduction of ketones, 1,4-butanediol acts essentially irreversibly owing to the formation of butyrolactone, which acts as a thermodynamic sink. It is therefore not necessary to use 1,4-butanediol in great excess in order to achieve reduction reactions. In addition, allylic alcohols are reduced to saturated alcohols through an isomerization/reduction sequence using a ruthenium catalyst with 1,4-butanediol as the reducing agent. Imines and alkenes are also reduced under similar conditions.