Stereoselective sodium borohydride reductions of cyclopentanones: influence of ceric chloride on the stereochemistry of reaction

Abstract

In this paper we describe the reduction by NaBH4 of some cyclopentanones containing an oxygenated function at the side chain position beta to the carbonyl group, both in the presence and in the absence of CeCl3. Some suggestions for the rationalization of the results are discussed, considering the stereochemical course of the reactions.

Keywords

• cyclopentanones
• stereoselective reduction
• sodium borohydride
• ceric chloride