The reaction of oximes with tributylphosphine–phenyldisulfide: mechanistic insight and new synthetic possibilities

Reduction of oximes to imines with tributylphosphine–phenyldisulfide reagent proceeds via formation of phenylthioimino intermediates which are subsequently reduced to imines with tributylphosphine in the presence of a proton source. The latter reaction provides the first practical method for conversion of phenylthioimines into ketones.