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1,4-Butanediol as a Reducing Agent in Transfer Hydrogenation Reactions

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Hannah Maytum
  • Javier Francos
  • David J. Whatrup
  • Jonathan M. J. Williams
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2010
<mark>Journal</mark>Chemistry - An Asian Journal
Issue number3
Volume5
Number of pages5
Pages (from-to)538-542
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

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.