Metal-free reduction of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts with tetrahydroxydiboron/water

A series of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts have been effectively reduced to the corresponding saturated carbonyls, dihydroxybenzenes, and hydropyridines in moderate to high yields with tetrahydroxydiboron/water as a mild, convenient, and metal-free reduction system. Deuterium-labeling experiments have revealed this protocol to be an exclusive transfer hydrogenation process from water.

Automated summary

A series of unsaturated carbonyls, quinones, and pyridinium salts have been successfully reduced to the corresponding saturated carbonyls, dihydroxybenzenes, and hydropyridines in moderate to high yields using tetrahydroxydiboron/water as a mild, convenient, and metal-free reduction system. Deuterium-labeling experiments have shown this protocol to be an exclusive transfer hydrogenation process from water.