Conversion of thioacetals to alkanes using Raney Nickel

Description: Thioacetals can be desulfurized to give alkanes through the use of Raney nickel (“Ra-Ni”)
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Notes: This is an equivalent transforation to the Clemmensen and Wolff-Kishner reactions

Examples:

Notes: Note how in each case the thioacetal is converted into an alkane.

Mechanism: The method of action of Raney Nickel remains somewhat murky and for the purposes of Org 1/Org 2 the mechanism is not considered to be important. The hydrogen that replaces the sulfur is actually contained on the surface of the nickel.

Notes:

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