Use of indium hydride (Cl2InH) for chemoselective reduction of the carbon-carbon double bond in conjugated alkenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(02)01668-4

Indium hydride (Cl₂InH) generated in situ from a combination of a catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride and sodium borohydride selectively reduces the carbon-carbon double bond in conjugated alkenes such as α,α-dicyano olefins, α,β-unsaturated nitriles, cyano esters, cyanophosphonate, diesters and ketones.