Complex polyol substrates provided by nature have the potential to serve as valuable feedstocks for organic building blocks, but selective methods are needed for their efficient utilization. We have applied a family of simple, cationic iridium phosphine complexes which catalyze the cleavage of alkyl ethers via hydride delivery to silyloxonium ions generated in situ. The site of reduction in more-complex polyethers can be modulated by choice of the ligand set, providing access to selective catalysts for the reduction of sterols and carbohydrate derivatives.

Iridium-catalyzed approach to selective C-O bond cleavage in complex substrates

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.