An operationally convenient Zn-catalyzed synthesis of alcohols by the reduction of aldehydes, ketones, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/ketones is reported. It is a rare example of using mild and sustainable HBpin as a reductant for catalytic reduction of carbonyl compounds in the absence of acid or base as hydrolysis reagent. The reaction is upscalable and proceeds in high selectivity without the formation of boronate ester by-products, and tolerates sensitive functionalities, such as iodo, bromo, chloro, fluoro, nitro, trifluoromethyl, aminomethyl, alkynyl, and amide. The Zn(OAc)2/HBpin combination has been also proved to be chemoselective for the C=N reduction of imine analogs.

Here, the first example of the NHC (N-heterocyclic carbenes) ligand-promoted reduction of imines and azobenzenes with homogeneous silver catalyst is reported. The PhSiH3 induced hydrogenation of imines and azobenzenes and...

Replacing precious metals with the first-row transition metals having abundant earth reserves in organic synthesis is in line with the sustainable development of chemistry. In this study, the regioselective hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and olefins had been simply realized with a low-valent Cr-catalyst from CrCl 2 and diketimine, which was in situ reduced by magnesium. Results showed that unilateral cyclic hydrogenation of many PAHs could be achieved with this catalyst under mild conditions, which was a convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of partially saturated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Site-selective hydrogenation of PAHs and olefins through a Mg preactivated diketimine/CoBr2 or diketimine–Co complex.

An operationally convenient Mg-catalyzed synthesis of alcohols by the reduction of aldehydes, ketones and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/ketones is reported. It is a rare example of using mild and sustainable HBpin as a reductant for catalytic reduction of carbonyl compounds in the absence of acid or base as hydrolysis reagent. The reaction is up-scalable, and proceeds in high selectivity without the formation of boronate ester by-products, and tolerates sensitive functionalities such as iodine, bromide, chloride, fluoride, nitro, trifluoromethyl, aminomethyl, alkynyl, and amide. The MgCl2/HBpin combination has been also proved to be chemoselective for the C＝N reduction of imine analogs.