Tellurium-promoted stereoselective hydrodebromination of 1,1-dibromoalkenes: Synthesis of (E)-bromoalkenes

We describe herein an efficient and simple method for the stereoselective hydrodebromination of 1,1-dibromoalkenes by using a catalytic amount of the nucleophilic species of tellurium, generated in situ by the reaction of elemental tellurium with NaBH4. By this methodology, (E)-bromoalkenes were obtained in moderate to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions, without the use of transition metals or base. Furthermore, a high stereoselectivity for the (E)-isomer was observed when 1,1-dibromoarylalkenes were used, thus indicating a promising alternative for future applications in organic synthesis.