An Efficient Ga(OTf)3/Isopropanol Catalytic System for Direct Reduction of Benzylic Alcohols

Abstract This study aims to report the first gallium‐catalyzed direct reduction of benzylic alcohols using isopropanol as a reductant. The reaction proceeds via gallium catalyst‐assisted hydride transfer of the in situ‐generated benzylic isopropyl ether. The method generates only water and acetone as byproducts and thus provides an atom‐economic and environmentally friendly approach to the synthesis of di‐ and triarylmethanes, which are important substructures in various bioactive compounds and functional materials. magnified image