Controlled Reduction of Carboxamides to Alcohols or Amines by Zinc Hydrides
New protocols for controlled reduction of carboxamides to either alcohols or amines were established using a combination of sodium hydride (NaH) and zinc halides (ZnX2). Use of a different halide on ZnX2 dictates the selectivity, wherein the NaH-ZnI2 system delivers alcohols and NaH-ZnCl2 gives amines. Extensive mechanistic studies by experimental and theoretical approaches imply that polymeric zinc hydride (ZnH2)∞ is responsible for alcohol formation, whereas dimeric zinc chloride hydride (H?Zn?Cl)2 is the key species for the production of amines.