Nickel-catalyzed C-O bond reduction of aryl and benzyl 2-pyridyl ethers.

The reduction of aryl and benzyl 2-pyridyl ethers with sodium isopropoxide was carried out via nickel-catalyzed C-OPy bond cleavage, giving reductive products in reasonable to excellent yields. This method allowed the 2-pyridyloxy group to be directly removed with high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, and good compatibility of functional groups.