Novel Synthetic Usage of Indium Compounds as Catalyst: Reductive Deoxygenation of Aryl Ketones and sec-Benzylic Alcohols

Abstract

The combination of chlorodimethylsilane and a catalytic amount of indium compounds is effective for the deoxygenation of aryl ketones and sec-benzylic alcohols to the corresponding hydrocarbons. The combination system is so selective toward carbonyls that the functionalities such as halogen, ester, and ether tolerate the reduction conditions.