Reductive Acetylation of Carbonyl Compounds to Acetates with Pyridine Zinc Borohydride

Abstract

Reductive acetylation of a variety of carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and α,β-unsaturated enals/enones was carried out efficiently with pyridine zinc borohydride, (Py)Zn(BH 4 ) 2 , in a mixture of THFEtOAc at room temperature or under reflux condition. The corresponding acetates were obtained in high to excellent yields. In addition, chemoselective reductive acetylation of aldehydes over ketones was achieved perfectly with the reagent at room temperature.