Chemoselective Luche-Type Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones by Magnesium Catalysis

The chemoselective reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones by use of an economic and readily available Mg catalyst has been developed. Excellent yields for a wide range of ketones have been achieved under mild reaction conditions, short times, and low catalyst loadings (0.2-0.5 mol %).