A simple borohydride-based method for selective 1,4-conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Sodium borohydride is used in combination with a heterogeneous palladium catalyst and acetic acid to selectively reduce the carbon-carbon double bonds of various α,β-unsaturated ketones and related compounds. This simple method is most selective when non-polar solvents such as toluene are used. We observed nearly complete conversion and high selectivities using moderate catalyst loadings. The reactions were typically complete in less than 2 h.