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Diimide Reduction: History
Please note this is an old version of this entry, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Subjects: Chemistry, Organic
Contributor: Helena Kang

Transfer of hydrogen from diimide (HN=NH) to a carbon–carbon multiple bond constitutes diimide reduction. The reagent is generated in situ, typically by oxidation of hydrazine or by thermal decomposition of an arylsulfonylhydrazide, and delivers both hydrogen atoms in a concerted, syn fashion to an alkene or alkyne through a six-membered transition state. Carbonyl groups, nitro groups, and most aromatic rings are not reduced under standard conditions, so the process is a chemoselective saturation of C=C and C≡C bonds rather than a general hydride reduction of carbonyls to alcohols. The method applies to solution-phase and solid-supported alkenes [1]. Organocatalytic generation of diimide enables reduction of enamides in water while preserving the same HN=NH delivery step [2]. Selective diimide reduction has been used to saturate a strained alkene in the presence of a peroxide, underscoring discrimination between a C=C bond and other reducible functions [3]. The concept is bounded as stoichiometric or catalytic use of diimide as the hydrogen donor, distinct from catalytic hydrogenation on a metal surface and from dissolving-metal reduction.

  • diimide reduction
  • HN=NH
  • syn hydrogenation
  • selective alkene reduction

Synthetic Organic Chemistry Methods • Organic Chemistry • Chemistry • Physical Sciences

References

  1. Keith R. Buszek; Neil Brown; Improved Method for the Diimide Reduction of Multiple Bonds on Solid-Supported Substrates. J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 3125-3128, 10.1021/jo0622173.
  2. Barrie J. Marsh; Emma L. Heath; David R. Carbery; Organocatalytic diimide reduction of enamides in water. Chem. Commun. 2010, 47, 280-282, 10.1039/c0cc02272a.
  3. Waldemar Adam; Henny J. Eggelte; Prostanoid endoperoxide model compounds: 2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane via selective diimide reduction. J. Org. Chem. 1977, 42, 3987-3988, 10.1021/jo00444a055.
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