Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenolysis of N-Benzyl Protecting Groups

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1987-27841

The catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of a number of N-benzyl compounds has been examined.Of the three hydrogen donors studied, ammonium formate and hydrazine hydrate were more effective than sodium hypophosphite.In general, debenzylation of secondary and tertiary benzylamines could be readily accomplished by refluxing the substrate with an excess of the hydrogen donor in alcoholic solvents for a few hours using catalytic amounts of 10percent palladium on carbon.The two N-benzyl heteroaromatic amines studies were stable to the above conditions.