Zinc Borohydride

Introduction

Zinc borohydride is a neutral reagent employed for the reduction of several types of carbonyl compounds. It is commercially available, but it is also easily prepared by reacting ZnCl₂ with NaBH_4. [¹] Kotsuki et al. described the selective reduction of thioesters in the presence of other functional groups using Zn(BH₄)₂ [¹] and Oishi and Nakata described the reduction of chiral β-keto esters with Zn(BH₄)₂ leading to the corresponding alcohols with high stereoselectivity. [²] This Spotlight summarizes further ­reactions of zinc borohydride.

References

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