Differential Dihydrofunctionalization of Terminal Alkynes: Synthesis of Benzylic Alkyl Boronates through Reductive Three-Component Coupling.

The differential dihydrofunctionalization of terminal alkynes is accomplished through the reductive three-component coupling of terminal alkynes, aryl halides, and pinacolborane. The transformation results in hydrofunctionalization of both π-bonds of an alkyne in a single reaction promoted by cooperative action of a copper/palladium catalyst system. The differential dihydrofunctionalization reaction has excellent substrate scope and can be accomplished in the presence of esters, nitriles, alkyl halides, epoxides, acetals, alkenes, aryl halides, and silyl ethers.

Diastereodivergent Reductive Cross Coupling of Alkynes through Tandem Catalysis: Z- and E-Selective Hydroarylation of Terminal Alkynes.

A diastereodivergent hydroarylation of terminal alkynes is accomplished using tandem catalysis. The hydroarylation allows highly selective synthesis of both E and Z diastereoisomers of aryl alkenes, from the same set of starting materials, using the same combination of palladium and copper catalysts. The selectivity is controlled by simple changes in the stoichiometry of the alcohol additive.

Catalytic Anti-Markovnikov Hydroallylation of Terminal and Functionalized Internal Alkynes: Synthesis of Skipped Dienes and Trisubstituted Alkenes.

We have developed catalytic anti-Markovnikov hydroallylation of terminal and functionalized internal alkynes. In this article, we describe the development of the reaction, exploration of the substrate scope, and a study of the reaction mechanism. Synthesis of skipped dienes through the hydroallylation of terminal alkyl and aryl alkynes with simple allyl phosphates and 2-substituted allyl phosphates is described.