Mild and highly selective ultrasound-promoted zinc/acetic acid reduction of C=C bonds in α,β-unsaturated γ-dicarbonyl compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1991-26417

Sonication of various, α,β-unsaturated γ-diketones, quinones, α,β-unsaturated γ-diacids or γ-diesters with powdered zinc and acetic acid at room temperature results in selective reduction of the C=C bond in each case within ca. 5 minutes to 2.5 h and affords the corresponding reduction products in yields of 94-100%. Isolated (i.e., nonconjugated) C=C bonds are not affected by zinc/acetic acid under these conditions.