Dehalogenation of Functionalized Alkyl Halides in Water at Room Temperature.

Alkyl bromides and chlorides can be reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbons utilizing zinc in the presence of an amine additive. The process takes place in water at ambient temperatures, enabled by a commercially available designer surfactant. The reaction medium can be readily recycled, and the amount of organic solvent invested for product isolation is minimal, leading to very low E Factors.