Reduction of alkyl halides to alkanes is a frequently practiced synthetic transformation. The most common method employed is the use of Bu3SnH via a radical chain mechanism. Alternative reduction procedures are desired owing to the toxicity of the tin reagents and problems separating tin byproducts from the desired organic products. We have discovered and developed a highly efficient and environmental friendly procedure for the reduction of primary, secondary and tertiary chlorides, bromides and iodides as well as certain fluorides by the cheap and readily available triethylsilane reagents with cationic iridium pincer catalysts. Dichloromethane is also rapidly reduced to methane.

In addition, catalyst loadings as low as 0.03% have proved successful and this process can be carried out in a solvent-free manner, which may provide an environmentally attractive and safe alternative to currently practiced reductions of alkyl halides. The scope and efficiency of the catalytic reaction, mechanistic details, and optimized experimental protocols will be presented.