Synlett 2014; 25(5): 671-676
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1340554
letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Catalyst-Free Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes with Hydrazine in the Presence of Oxygen

Nurettin Menges
a   Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey, Fax: +90(312)2103200   Email: mbalci@metu.edu.tr
b   Faculty of Pharmacy, Yüzüncüyil University, 65080 Van, Turkey
,
Metin Balci*
a   Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey, Fax: +90(312)2103200   Email: mbalci@metu.edu.tr
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 11 November 2013

Accepted after revision: 09 December 2013

Publication Date:
13 January 2014 (online)


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Abstract

A series of alkenes and alkynes was subjected to reduction with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol in the presence of oxygen. An efficient method was developed for the reduction of C–C double bonds and C–C triple bonds with diimide, generated in situ from hydrazine hydrate by oxidation with oxygen. The reduction process proceeded for 24–48 hours with high chemoselectivity and excellent yields. This reduction procedure offers synthetic advantages over metal-catalyzed hydrogenation as well as other systems.