Lanthanide replacement in organic synthesis: Luche-type reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of calcium triflate

Abstract

Development of a calcium-mediated regioselective 1,2-reduction of challenging α,β-unsaturated ketones, such as 2-cyclopententone, is reported. The corresponding allylic alcohols are obtained in very good regioselectivities using Ca(OTf)2 and NaBH4. Furthermore, we have shown that our method can stereoselectively reduce aziridinyl ketones.