Chemistry Letters, Vol.36, No.2, 228-229, 2007
Polycyclic aromatic compounds-mediated electrochemical reduction of alkyl mesylates
Electrochemical reduction of alkyl mesylates was successfully carried out by using an undivided cell equipped with a Pt cathode and an Mg anode in the presence of biphenyl and t-BuOH. The reaction could proceed efficiently under mild conditions to give the corresponding alkanes in moderate to good yields. This procedure could also be applicable to chemoselective reduction of mesylates having functional groups such as epoxide, olefin, acetal, hydroxy, or cyano groups.