Palladium-catalyzed reduction of alkynes employing HSiEt3: stereoselective synthesis of trans- and cis-alkenes

The palladium-catalyzed semi-hydrogenation of alkynes to trans- or cis-alkenes employing HSiEt3 as the reductant is developed. The CuSO4 played a significant role for the trans/cis stereoselectivity. The labeling study revealed that the two olefinic hydrogen atoms came from HSiEt3 and H2O, respectively.