Cobalt‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of α‐Ketoesters and N‐Cyclicsulfonylimides Using H2O as Hydrogen Source

A Co‐catalyzed effective transfer hydrogenation of various α‐ketoesters and N‐cyclicsulfonylimides by safe and environmentally benign H2O as hydrogen source is described. The reaction used easily available and easy to handle zinc metal as a reductant. Interestingly, the catalytic system does not require ligand for reduction of N‐cyclicsulfonylimides.