Hydrodefluorinations of trifluorotoluenes by LiAlH4 and TiCl4

In the presence of 2 mol% of TiCl4, α,α,α-trifluorotoluene derivatives were reduced with LiAlH4 to furnish toluene derivatives in high yields. Selective reduction of bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivative is effected. The difference of the reactivity between TiCl4 and NbCl5 is also discussed.