Some aspects of NaBH4 reduction in NMP Original Research Article

In our solvent optimization study of NaBH4 reduction, NMP was found to enhance the reactivity. A chemoselective debromination of the bromide and sulfonates can be attained in the new borohydride reagent system: NaBH4-LiOTf-NMP. This mixed system worked as an alternative to NaBH3CN and Bu3SnH for the SN2 type displacement of alkylbromide and sulfonate. Also mentioned is an expedient reduction of an azide group into amine by NaBH4 in NMP without any additive, which offers a convenient protocol for the direct transformation of halides into amines via azide in one flask. Some examples of other reductions were also presented.