Systematic investigations on the reduction of 4-aryl-4-oxoesters to 1-aryl-1,4-butanediols with methanolic sodium borohydride.

ABSTRACT: 4-Aryl-4-oxoesters undergo facile reduction of both the keto and the ester groups with methanolic NaBH₄ at room temperature to yield the corresponding 1-aryl-1,4-butanediols whereas 4-alkyl-4-oxoesters furnish the corresponding 1,4-butanolides via selective reduction of the keto moiety. Results of a detailed and systematic investigation of the reaction are described.

SUBMITTER: Chaudhuri SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2956461 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature