InBr3-catalyzed reduction of ketones with a hydrosilane: Deoxygenation of aromatic ketones and selective synthesis of secondary alcohols and symmetrical ethers from aliphatic ketones
An InBr3-Et3SiH reducing system was developed to selectively convert aliphatic ketones to a variety of secondary alcohols in moderate to good yields. An initial mixing of InBr3 and PhSiH 3 was followed by the addition of aliphatic ketones and a solvent to afford the symmetrical ether derivatives.