Brønsted Base-Catalyzed Reductive Deimination of α-Iminoketones

An unprecedented reductive deimination of α-iminoketones derived from benzils was developed under Brønsted base catalysis. Treatment of α-iminoketones with silanethiols in the presence of a catalytic amount of P2-tBu provided the corresponding arylbenzylketones in good yields. This is a rare example of the direct transformation of an imine moiety into a methylene moiety.An unprecedented reductive deimination of α-iminoketones was developed under Brønsted base catalysis. Treatment of α-iminoketones with silanethiols in the presence of a catalytic amount of P2-tBu provided the corresponding aryl benzyl ketones in good yields. This is a rare example of the direct transformation of an imine moiety into a methylene moiety.