Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.136, No.30, 10605-10608, 2014
Phosphine-Catalyzed Anti-Carboboration of Alkynoates with Alkyl-, Alkenyl-, and Arylboranes
We found that trialkylphosphine organo-catalysts promoted unprecedented anti-carboboration of alkynoates with alkyl-, alkenyl-, or arylboranes to form beta-boryl acrylates. The regioselectivity of the carboboration across the polar C-C triple bond exhibited inverse electronic demand, with the less electronegative B atom being delivered to the positively charged beta carbon atom. The regioselectivity and the anti stereoselectivity were both complete and robust. In addition, the substrate scope was broad with excellent functional group compatibility.