Chemoselective reduction of aldehydes by ruthenium trichloride and resin-bound formates

Abstract

A simple, chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of aryl aldehydes with the aid of Amberlite® resin formate (ARF), a stable H-donor, in the presence of catalytic ruthenium trichloride is described. Aromatic aldehydes and 1,2-diketones are reduced efficiently and selectively, while aryl ketones remain unchanged. Several other potentially reducible groups attached to the aromatic moiety are unaffected. © 2008 Basu et al; licensee Beilstein-Institut.