SYNTHESIS AND REDUCTION OF 2,2-DIARYL-1-NITROETHYLENES BY USING A CHIRAL AND A NON CHIRAL NADH MODEL IN THE PYRROLOPYRIDINE SERIES

Reduction of 2,2-diphenyl-1-nitroethylene (1) and 2-(2-pyridyl)-2-phen yl-1-nitroethylene (5) is achieved by using the NADH model in the pyrr olopyridine series 2a to give 2,2-diphenyl-1-nitroethane (3) and 2-(2- pyridyl)-2-phenyl-1-nitroethane (7) respectively in 40% yield. The asy mmetric reduction of 2-(2-pyridyl)-2-phenyl-1-nitroethylene by the chi ral NADH model 2b is studied. Thus, 2-(2-pyridyl)-2-phenyl-1-nitroetha ne (7) is obtained in 15 to 32% yield. The stereocontrol of the reduct ion proved to be dependent on the amount of magnesium ions.