vic -Dibromides containing the α-bromocarbonyl or α-bromoaromatic moieties were reductively debrominated to furnish alkenes in high yield. o- and m-Anisidines but not p-anisidine were found to be effective debrominating agents. The reductive debrominations were found to be trans-stereospecific.

The interaction of various 1,2-dibromides with NEt3 under various conditions (THF and DMF, respectively) at different temperatures was investigated. Our results from these reactions show that substrate dependent dehydrobrominations compete with reductive debrominations. A comprehensive discussion of these competitive pathways is offered.

Reductive Debromination of 1,2-Dibromides with Anisidines. -(MCGRAW, K. M.; BOWLER, J. T.; LY, V. T.; ERDEN*, I.; WU, W.; Tetrahedron Lett. 57 (2016) 3, 285-287, http://dx.