Dehalogenation of vicinal dihalo compounds by 1,1′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H,1′H-4,4′-bipyridinylidene for giving alkenes and alkynes in a salt-free manner

Abstract

We report a transition metal-free dehalogenation of vicinal dihalo compounds by 1,1′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H,1′H-4,4′-bipyridinylidene (1) under mild conditions, in which trimethylsilyl halide and 4,4′-bipyridine were generated as byproducts. The synthetic protocol for this dehalogenation reaction was effective for a wide scope of dibromo compounds as substrates while keeping the various functional groups intact. Furthermore, the reduction of vicinal dichloro alkanes and vicinal dibromo alkenes also proceeded in a salt-free manner to afford the corresponding alkenes and alkynes.