Chemoselective Conversion of Conjugated Nitroalkenes into Ketones by Sodium Borohydride-Hydrogen Peroxide: A New Synthesis of 4-Oxoalkanoic Acids, Dihydrojasmone and (±)-exo-Brevicomin

Abstract

A new, simple, cheap, and practical procedure for the direct transformation of α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes into ketones has been realized by the NaBH₄/H₂O₂ system. By this method, other functional groups such as C-C double bonds, ketals or aromatic nitro groups were preserved. Application of this methodology to the preparation of 4-oxoalkanoic acids, dihydrojasmone, and (±)-exo-brevicomin is also reported.