Indium hydride: a novel radical initiator in the reduction of organic halides with tributyltin hydride

Dichloroindium hydride (Cl2InH), which was generated in situ by transmetallation between tributyltin hydride and indium trichloride, acted as a novel radical initiator for the reduction of organic halides with tributyltin hydride. The reaction was revealed to proceed through a radical process under non-oxygen conditions at room temperature, and to be applicable to intramolecular radical cyclizations.