The highly chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of the carbon–carbon double bond of conjugated nitroalkenes by a rhodium complex

Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of conjugated nitroalkenes catalyzed by [RhCl2Cp∗]2–diamine complex (Cp∗=η5-C5Me5) using HCOOH/Et3N (5:2) (TEAF) as a hydrogen source was realized. A variety of nitrostyrenes, β-methyl nitrostyrenes, and 3-methyl-4-nitro-5-alkenyl-isoxazoles were reduced smoothly in good to excellent yields in short reaction time. Other functional groups are inert under the reaction conditions.