CuCl2-catalyzed highly stereoselective and chemoselective reduction of alkynyl amides into α,β-unsaturated amides using silanes as hydrogen donors.

A CuH-catalyzed Z-selective partial reduction of alkynyl amides to afford α,β-unsaturated amides using silane as the hydrogen donor is developed. This reaction is carried out under mild conditions and able to accommodate a broad scope of alkynyl amides including those bearing a terminal carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond, affording alkenyl amides with high stereoselectivity and excellent yields.