Selective deoxygenation of gibberellic acid with fluoroarylborane catalysts.

Reductive late-stage functionalization of gibberellic acid is reported using three fluoroarylborane Lewis acids; (B(CF), B(3,5-CH(CF)), and B(2,4,6-CHF)) in combination with a tertiary silane and a borane (HBCat) reductant. In each case, C-O bond activation occurs, and different products are obtained depending on the reductant and catalyst employed.