Bismuth Bromide-Catalyzed reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds and its application to the synthesis of novel crownophanes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01720-6

The reductive homocoupling of carbonyl compounds and heterocoupling of a carbonyl compound with an alkoxysilane were both effected smoothly with triethylsilane in the presence of a catalytic amount of bismuth bromide (1-3 mol%) under mild conditions. This ether-forming reaction was successfully applied to the single-step preparation of novel crownophanes with olefinic or acetylenic linkages.