Regiospecific Reduction of 5-Benzylidene-2,4-Thiazolidinediones and 4-Oxo-2-thiazolidinethiones using Lithium Borohydride in Pyridine and Tetrahydrofuran

The novel regiospecific and general reduction of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones and 5-benzylidene-4-oxo-2-thiazolidinethiones to the corresponding 5-benzyl derivatives has been accomplished using lithium borohydride in pyridine and tetrahydrofuran. Sodium borohydride and lithium chloride can also be used under these conditions, which represents a cheaper alternative to lithium borohydride.