A mild, convenient, Non-Acidic conversion of enol ethers into alcohols using Hg(OAc)2 - NaBH4

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(96)02449-5

Alkyl enol ethers can be converted into the corresponding alcohols in good to excellent yields by treatment with aqueous Hg(OAc)₂ - NaBH₄ in one reaction flask. This method is sufficiently mild to allow the survival of acid-sensitive groups such as silyl ethers, THP-protected alcohols and N-Boc-protected amines.