B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Reduction of Sulfoxides and Sulfones to Sulfides with Hydrosilanes

Abstract

B(C6F5)3 is shown to catalyze the deoxygenation of sulfoxides and sulfones to the corresponding sulfides with Et3SiH as the stoichiometric hydride source. While the method is limited in terms of functional group tolerance, it is applicable to the reduction of alkyl/aryl-, aryl/aryl-, and alkyl/alkyl-substituted sulfoxides, including the benzyl/benzyl-substituted derivative. The same protocol converts alkyl/aryl- but not aryl/aryl-substituted sulfones into sulfides.