This is from a catalog description of NaCNBH3:
"Used in organic synthesis as a highly selective reducing agent. Sodium Cyanoborohydride selectively reduces aldehydes, ketones and oximes in acidic media at pH 3-4 not affecting other functinal groups as amides, ethers, nitriles, nitro compounds and epoxides in various reaction conditions."
Can the TSII method be modified to change the pH of the rxn media to the range specified above? Could this improve yields? There has been discussion here about making the pre-NaCNBH3-addition media neutral with GAA, but no one has discussed bringing the pH down to 3-4.
Ideas? Comments?
z
"And if we don't get some cool rules ourselves, pronto, then we'll just be bogus too!"