title: Iron-catalysed, general and operationally simple formal hydrogenation using Fe(OTf)3 and NaBH4.
abstract: An operationally simple and environmentally benign formal hydrogenation protocol has been developed using highly abundant iron(iii) salts and an inexpensive, bench stable, stoichiometric reductant, NaBH4, in ethanol, under ambient conditions. This reaction has been applied to the reduction of terminal alkenes (22 examples, up to 95% yield) and nitro-groups (26 examples, up to 95% yield). Deuterium labelling studies indicate that this reaction proceeds via an ionic rather than radical mechanism.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, UK. stephen.thomas@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alistair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: MacNair
authors.forename: Ming-Ming
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: G Usherwood
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ironmonger
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000475:Alkenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D001894:Borohydrides / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006865:Hydrogenation
chemical_list: D000475:Alkenes; D001894:Borohydrides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C025364:sodium borohydride