Stereospecific Deoxygenation of Aliphatic Epoxides to Alkenes under Rhenium Catalysis

The combination of a catalytic amount of Re2O7 and triphenyl phosphite as a reductant is effective for the deoxygenation of unactivated aliphatic epoxides to alkenes. The reaction proceeds stereospecifically with variously substituted epoxides under neutral conditions and is compatible with various functional groups. Protection and deprotection of a double bond functionality using an epoxide are shown as an example of the current rhenium-catalyzed deoxygenation protocol. The effect of reductants for the stereoselectivity has also been studied, indicating that the use of electron-deficient phosphines or phosphites is the key for the stereospecific deoxygenation.