A Co2B Mediated NaBH4 Reduction Protocol Applicable to a Selection of Functional Groups in Organic Synthesis

A high-yielding and high-rate reduction method that operates with alkenes, alkynes, azides, nitriles, and nitroarenes was developed and optimized. The method makes use of sodium borohydride reduction of CoSO4 under release of hydrogen along with the formation of Co2B as a nanoparticle material. The produced Co2B activates the various functional groups for hydride reduction. The protocol was proven to operate with an assortment of functional groups to provide good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the reduction method was successfully adapted, implemented, and developed for a continuous flow approach using the multi-jet oscillating disk (MJOD) flow reactor platform at atmospheric pressure.