Robert Gordon Giles

Regiospecific Reduction of 5-Benzylidene-2,4-Thiazolidinediones and 4-Oxo-2-thiazolidinethiones using Lithium Borohydride in Pyridine and Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract The novel regiospecific and general reduction of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones and 5-benzylidene-4-oxo-2-thiazolidinethiones to the corresponding 5-benzyl derivatives has been accomplished using lithium borohydride in pyridine and tetrahydrofuran. Sodium borohydride and lithium chloride can also be used under these conditions, which represents a cheaper alternative to lithium borohydride.

The formation of acylimino-derivatives of indoles and pyrroles by reactions with nitrilium salts

Abstract N -Methylnitrilium fluoroborates are prepared rapidly by warming trimethyloxonium fluoroborate with a slight excess of the nitrile, subsequent addition of indoles and pyrroles at low temperatures (−50° to −20°) gives iminium salts (and hence ketones) in high yields.

Facile synthesis of novel 2-hydroxytetrazole derivatives via selective N-2 oxidation

Abstract A highly selective oxidation of the sodium salt of ethyl tetrazole-5-carboxylate is reported which produces a novel class of hydroxytetrazole derivative which can then be converted to 2-hydroxytetrazole. A novel preparation of 1-hydroxytetrazole is also reported.