Remarkably selective reduction of the α,β-carbon-carbon double bond in highly activated α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated alkenes by the InCl<SUB>3</SUB>-NaBH<SUB>4</SUB> reagent system

A combination of sodium borohydride and a catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride in acetonitrile reduces exclusively the α,β -carbon-carbon double bond in α ,β ,γ ,δ -unsaturated diaryl ketones, dicarboxylic ester, cyanoester, and dicyano compounds