Reduction of O,O-, N,O-, and S,O-Acetals to Ethers

The formation of acetals and ketals from aldehydes and ketones represents one of the most fundamental transformations in organic chemistry. Being useful protecting groups, these acetals also represent a source of ethers through selective reduction of one of the C-O bonds. This chapter covers advances in this process, with a particular focus on the development of a mechanistic understanding of the factors that control regioselective reduction, and on methods which enable highly selective reduction under mild and functional group-tolerant conditions. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved