Reduction of esters to alcohols and iodides using aminodiborane (μ-NHBH): scope and mechanistic investigations.

Herein, we report an efficient methodology for the reduction of esters, carbonates, and anhydrides to alcohols using generated aminodiborane from iodine and ammonia borane. This methodology also finds use for the transformation of esters to iodides by varying the stoichiometry of reagents. The protocol has broad substrate scope for transformation of esters to alcohols and iodides with excellent yields.