Titanocene-Catalyzed 1,4-Reduction of α,β-UnsaturatedCarbonyl Compounds

A simple catalytic protocol for the 1,4-reduction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using inexpensive zinc dust as a reducing agent is described. A number of functionalized enals, enones, and acrylic esters can be successfully reduced into the corresponding saturated ­analogues in good to excellent yields.