Iodine promoted reduction of aromatic carbonyl compounds with phosphonic acid to access hydrocarbons

A novel method for selective reduction of aromatic carbonyl compounds by phosphorus acid under metal-free conditions is achieved to produce the corresponding reduced products in good to excellent yields. By using H3PO3/I2 system, various aromatic ketones and aldehydes could be reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbons. Diketone compounds could also be reduced to the corresponding Z-alkenes. The protocol is low-cost and easily scaled up, which provides a simple and practical approach to access corresponding hydrocarbons.