Triphenylphosphine/germanium(IV) chloride combination: A new agent for the reduction of α-bromo carboxylic acid derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)10841-3

The Ph₃P/GeCl₄ combination was found to be effective for the reduction of various α-bromo carboxylic acid derivatives. When a-bromo carboxylic acid derivatives were treated with Ph₃P/GeCl₄, the corresponding dehalogenated products were obtained in good to excellent yields. Moreover, selected carboxylic acid derivatives were dehalogenated even when a catalytic amount (0.2 equiv) of GeCl₄ was employed in the presence of water (1.0 equiv). The present reduction was also applied to the selective half-reduction of an α,α-dibromo-β-lactam.