CHIMIA (Jun 2012)
Reductive Cleavage of 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl Esters by Titanocene Catalysis
Abstract
Esters are of widespread use for protecting carboxylic acids in organic synthesis. However, methods to cleave esters often employ harsh conditions. Herein, we report a new and mild method for the reductive cleavage of 2,2,2-trichloroethylesters (TCE esters). Our radical method employs Cp2TiCl as an electron transfer catalyst and Zn dust as stoichiometric reducing agent. It avoids the use of strong Brønstedt-acids as well as aqueous conditions and can be carried out at room temperature.
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