Tin(II)-chloride (SnCl2) mediated reduction of α,β-alkynyl carbonyl compounds

Abstract

An efficient Tin(II)-chloride (SnCl₂) mediated reduction of α,β-alkynyl carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alkanes has been developed and reported. The developed method was optimized by varying parameters such as reaction time, temperature, and the equivalence of SnCl₂ using different solvents. The best reaction condition (80 % yield) involved 2.5 eq. of SnCl₂, at 25 °C for 3 h in ethyl acetate. This method is applicable for the reduction of α,β-alkynyl carbonyl of quinoxaline, pyrimidine, pyrazine and pyridine.