An Air-Stable Catalyst System for the Conversion of Esters to Alcohols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00040a001

The combination of 5 mol percent of Ti(O-i-Pr)4 with 2.5-3.0 equiv (EtO)3SiH cleanly hydrosilylates esters to silyl ethers at 40-55 deg C, which can be converted to the corresponding primary alcohols via aqueous alkaline hydrolysis in excellent overall yield.The reaction can be carried out in the air, without solvent, and displays a high level of functional group compatibility.