A Raney nickel-sodium hypophosphite combination system for reductive desulfurization without racemization of optically active secondary alcohol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00804-1

Sulfides and sulfoxides bearing an optically active secondary alcohol were desulfurized with a Raney nickel (W-2)-sodium hypophosphite combination system to give optically active alcohols in high yields without racemization. However, the combination system was not effective with sulfides which comprise an alkylthio group and the corresponding sulfoxides. This system exhibited the reductive desulfurization of benzylthio or phenylthio other in the presence of a benzyl ether.