Low-Valent Niobium-Catalyzed Reduction of α,α,α-Trifluorotoluenes

[reaction: see text] In the presence of 5 mol % of niobium(V) chloride, alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene derivatives were reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to give toluene derivatives in good yields. Stepwise, partial reduction of bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivative was also demonstrated.