Reduction of Aliphatic and Aromatic Cyclic Ketones to sec-Alcohols by Aqueous Titanium Trichloride/Ammonia System. Steric Course and Mechanistic Implications

Abstract

In contrast to the dissolved metal and metal hydride reductions, the reduction of cyclic ketones by the aqueous TiCl3/NH3 system favours the formation of the less thermodynamically stable axial alcohol. The ammonium ion formed in situ is essential for the reduction to proceed because it behaves as a mild Brønsted acid in basic medium and favours the protonation of the intermediate ketyl. The corresponding α-hydroxy radical is then rapidly reduced under conditions where the first electron transfer to the substrate takes place. We suggest that the stereoselectivity is determined by the second reduction step, which occurs through the less hindered transition state, regardless of whether the radical to be reduced is thermodynamically favoured or not.