Abstract
Chemoselective reductions of vic-dihalides conjugated to a phenyl and/or an ester group are being reported with Mg-MeOH at ambient temperature. However, reactions with Mg-MeOH-THF led to the formation of alkenes predominantly. The reactions are proposed to proceed by SET from Mg.
Notes
A reaction of Z-stilbene with Mg-MeOH using 1:20 molar ratio of Z-stilbene to Mg at ambient temperature was monitored and showed the presence of bibenzyl only and no E-stilbene was detected at any stage.
Cyclohexene (96%) was recovered unchanged after 24 hr from its reaction with Mg-MeOH using 1: 10 molar ratio of cyclohexene: Mg.