Organocatalyzed biomimetic selective reduction of c=c double bonds of chalcones

Abstract

In this article, we reported a biomimetic approach for chemoselective reduction of C=C double bonds in chalcones under metal and acid free conditions, that relies on olefin activation by hydrogen bond formation. The process requires only catalytic amount of ephedrine as hydrogen bond donor and utilizes Hantzsch esters for transfer hydrogenation.