Reductive Cleavage Reaction of N, N'-, N, O- and N, S-Linked Alkylidene Compounds by Sodium Borohydride

Abstract

Sodium borohydride reduction was undertaken with a variety of N, N'-, N, O- and N, S-linked alkylidene compounds in aqueous ethanolic medium at room temperature. It has been realized that reductive cleavage of one of these two alkylidene carbon-heteroatom bonds is generally effected in this reduction, disclosing which alkylidene bond is initially cleaved when the two bonds are different.