Denitrohydrogenation of aliphatic nitro compounds and a new use of aliphatic nitro compounds as radical precursors

Aliphatic nitro groups are replaced by hydrogen on treatment with tributyltin hydride which proceeds via free radical chain processes. As the nitro group is selectively denitrated and other reducible groups are not affected with tributyltin hydride, this reaction can be used as a method for removing the nitro group from polyfunctional compounds. The radical intermediates generated via denitration can be also used for the carbon-carbon bond forming reactions.