Cu(OTf)₂ as an Efficient and Dual‐Purpose Catalyst in the Regioselective Reductive Ring Opening of Benzylidene Acetals

Abstract

Reducing the choices. Cu(OTf)2 is an efficient and dual-purpose catalyst for the highly regioselective reductive ring openings of benzylidene acetals with either BH3 or Me2EtSiH to give the corresponding primary and secondary alcohols (see scheme). Isotope studies have confirmed that both modes of ring cleavage proceed by an SN1 reaction pathway when borane or silane attack the acetal carbon center. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2005/z462172_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.