Cadmium-Mediated Carbonyl Benzylation in Tap Water

Abstract

Zn/CdCl₂ has been developed as a mediator in the benzylation of various aldehydes in tap water affording the corresponding alcohols in moderate to good yields. The addition of a catalytic amount of InCl₃ increases the yield of benzylation product significantly. It can selectively mediate the benzylation of aldehydes in the presence of ketones. A mechanism involving the formation of a cation π-complex is proposed based on the experimental facts.

Key words

cadmium - tap water - Barbier-type reaction - organometallics - benzylation

References

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