Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by pincer-Pd complexes using alcohol as a hydrogen source.

A pincer-Pd complex was utilized in the chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones using n-BuOH as a hydrogen source and solvent. Good to excellent yields were obtained for various substrates even with reducible groups. Based on deuterium-labeling experiments, the reaction mechanism is proposed to occur via a pincer-Pd-hydride intermediate.