1-BENZYL-1,4-DIHYDRONICOTINAMIDE AS A REAGENT FOR REPLACING ALIPHATIC NITRO GROUPS BY HYDROGEN. AN ELECTRON-TRANSFER CHAIN REACTION.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00350a045

The reaction of alpha -nitro nitriles, alpha -nitro esters, and alpha -nitro ketones with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) can occur with selective replacement of the nitro group by hydrogen without affecting other functional groups. Evidence is presented to support the claim that the reaction proceeds via an electron-transfer chain mechanism in which radical anions and free radicals are intermediates.