Synthesis 2011(9): 1375-1382  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259988
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Reduction of Carboxylic Acids Using Esters of Benzotriazole as High-Reactivity Intermediates

José Antonio Morales-Serna, Eréndira García-Ríos, Jorge Bernal, Ehecatl Paleo, Rubén Gaviño, Jorge Cárdenas*
Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, México D.F., México
Fax: +52(55)56162217; e-Mail: rjcp@unam.mx;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 18 January 2011
Publication Date:
05 April 2011 (online)

Abstract

Herein, we describe a simple and practical protocol for the reduction of carboxylic acids via the in situ formation of hydroxy­benzotriazole esters followed by reaction with sodium borohydride to give the corresponding alcohols. The reaction proceeds with excellent yields in the presence of water.