Titanocene-Catalyzed Reduction of Lactones to Lactols.

A convenient method for the conversion of lactones to lactols is described. The hydrosilylation to lactols is carried out via air-stable titanocene difluoride or a titanocene diphenoxide precatalyst using inexpensive polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) as the stoichiometric reductant. These procedures have been demonstrated with a variety of substrates and proceed in good to excellent yield.