An
iridium-catalyzed, highly efficient, and site-selective deoxygenation
of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols has been realized, under
the assistance of a 4-(N-substituted amino)aryl directing
group. Only the hydroxyl adjacent to the directing group can be deoxygenated.
The deoxygenation is performed in water, with formic acid as both
the promoter and hydride donor. Excellent yields and functionality
tolerance, as well as high efficiency (S/C up to 1 000 000, TOF up to 445 000
h–1), are obtained. The kinetic isotope effect studies
show that hydride formation is the rate-determining step, and the
deoxygenation follows an S
N
1-type pathway. The deoxygenation protocol has been demonstrated
useful in the structural modification of naturally occurring ketones
and steroids.