Electroreductive Deoxygenation of Methanesulfonates of α-Hydroxy Esters via a Catalytic Selenation-Deselenation Sequence

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.65.3200

The methanesulfonates of α-hydroxy esters were converted to the corresponding deoxygenated esters in 70-88percent yields by the indirect electrolysis with diphenyl diselenide as a recyclable reagent in a divided cell.This deoxygenation method may involve the formation of α-phenylselenoester by replacement of α-methylsulfonyloxy group with phenylselenide anion followed by capture of the α-phenylseleno group with phenylselenide anion.