InBr3-catalyzed reduction of ketones with a hydrosilane: deoxygenation of aromatic ketones and selective synthesis of secondary alcohols and symmetrical ethers from aliphatic ketones

An InBr3–Et3SiH reducing system was developed to selectively convert aliphatic ketones to a variety of secondary alcohols in moderate to good yields. An initial mixing of InBr3 and PhSiH3 was followed by the addition of aliphatic ketones and a solvent to afford the symmetrical ether derivatives.