Pd-catalyzed reductive cleavage of NN bond in dibenzyl-1-alkylhydrazine-1,2-dicarboxylates with PMHS: application to a formal enantioselective synthesis of (R)-sitagliptin
An environmentally benign approach involving Pd-catalyzed reductive NN bond cleavage in dibenzyl-1-alkylhydrazine-1,2-dicarboxylates leading to the synthesis of N-(tert-butoxy)carbamates under very mild conditions has been described. PMHS serves as an inexpensive source of hydride in MeOH/deionized H2O medium. This protocol has been successfully applied in the formal synthesis of (R)-sitagliptin, an anti-diabetic drug.