Ammonia free partial reduction of aromatic compounds using lithium di-tert-butylbiphenyl (LiDBB)

The reduction of a series of hetero- and carbocyclic aromatic compounds under ammonia free conditions is described. By using LiDBB as a source of electrons, bis(methoxyethyl)amine (BMEA) as a protonating agent, and THF as a solvent, we were able to accomplish reductions more usually performed under Birch type conditions. Moreover, the use of these conditions was further enhanced by the tolerance of the reducing system toward reactive electrophiles that cannot be used successfully in ammonia.