Abstract A thiourea-catalyzed biomimetic reduction of conjugated nitroalkenes has been developed. Various aromatic and aliphatic conjugated nitroalkenes can be reduced to give the respective nitroalkanes with good yields under mild conditions. This protocol is not only practical, but may also provide insight into the mechanisms of redox transformations in biological systems.
[Chikashita, Hidenori; Nishida, Shuichi; Miyazaki, Makoto; Morita, Yasuhiro; Itoh, Kazuyoshi Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, 1987 , vol. 60, # 2 p. 737 - 746]
