Triflic Acid/Silane Promoted Deoxygenative Transformation of Ketones via Carbocations

Deoxygenative transformation of ketones into value-addedproductsoften suffers from precious-metal-based catalysts or complicated operationalconditions. Triflic acid and silane serve as a cooperative reductantto transform ketones via carbocations that undergo & beta;-H eliminationmuch faster than hydride transfer from silane to produce alkenes withhigh selectivity. Alternatively, the presence of indoles would inceptthe protonated ketones to generate carbocations, allowing access toCsp(2)-Csp(3) bond formation with high reactivityand selectivity in one pot.

Automated summary

Triflic acid and silane can be used as a cooperative reductant to convert ketones into valuable products. This method is simpler compared to using precious-metal-based catalysts or complicated operational conditions. Protonated ketones can generate carbocations, allowing for the formation of Csp(2)-Csp(3) bonds with high reactivity and selectivity.