3-Diphenylphosphino-2-(diphenylphoshino)methyl-2-methylpropyl acetate acted as an efficient ligand for a Rh catalyst, achieving cross-coupling between arylzinc compounds bearing electron-withdrawing groups and alkyl electrophiles. The beneficial effect of the tripodal ligand and such aryl nucleophiles was discussed with regard to the specificity of the Rh catalysis.
Rapid Defunctionalization of Carbonyl Group to Methylene with Polymethylhydrosiloxane−B(C<sub>6</sub>F<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub>
The polymethylhydrosiloxane-B(C(6)F(5))(3) combination is found to be a versatile carbonyl defunctionalization system under mild and rapid conditions. For the first time, B(C(6)F(5))(3) has been used as a nonconventional Lewis acid catalyst to activate PMHS. Aromatic and aliphatic carbonyl compounds were effectively reduced to give the corresponding alkanes in high yields.