Stereospecificity in the mixed hydride reduction of α-hydroxyalkylferrocenes in the norbornane series
Abstract
Mixed hydride reduction (lithium aluminium hydride–aluminium chloride) of 2-exo- and 2-endo-ferrocenylnorbornan-2-ol and of 1,1′-bis-(2-endo-hydroxynorbornan-2-yl)ferrocene to the corresponding norbornylferrocenes proceeds with retention of configuration at the reduction site. The mechanism of the reduction process is discussed.