Reduction of Trichloromethyl to gem‐Dichloromethyl Group with Triphenylphosphine and Water in Ethyl Acetate

A novel and efficient way of reducing trichloromethyl to gem-dichloromethyl compounds using environmentally friendly conditions has been developed. This reduction process consists of the treatment of a trichloromethyl compound with water and triphenylphosphine using ethyl acetate as solvent. This reaction proceeds in good yield when a strong electron-withdrawing group is attached to the trichloromethyl derivative.