Unique and Convenient Use of Raney Nickel for the Reduction of Aryl Bromides, Benzyl Alcohols, Benzyl Ethers, and Benzylamines in an Acidic Medium

A simple and convenient method for laboratory-scale reduction using Raney nickel is described. The reaction was achieved by the inclusion of sulfuric acid to a mixture of a substrate and Raney nickel. Using this method, several aryl bromides, benzyl alcohols, benzyl ethers, and benzylamines were cleaved at the carbon–bromine bond or at the benzylic position to afford corresponding hydrogenated products in good yields without the use of compressed hydrogen gas and without requiring any special apparatus.