Reduction of Carbon−Carbon Double Bonds Using Organocatalytically Generated Diimide

Abstract

An efficient method has been developed for the reduction of carbon-carbon double bonds with diimide, catalytically generated in situ from hydrazine hydrate. The employed catalyst is prepared in one step from riboflavin (vitamin B(2)). Reactions are carried out in air and are a valuable alternative when metal-catalyzed hydrogenations are problematic.