Copper-Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Propargylic Carbonates through Tandem Nucleophilic Substitution/Boroprotonation

Org Lett. 2024 May 31;26(21):4443-4450. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c01080. Epub 2024 May 21.

Abstract

Highly functionalized organic molecules are in high demand, but their preparation is challenging. Copper-catalyzed transformation of alkynyl- and allenyl-containing substrates has emerged as a powerful tool to achieve this objective. Herein, an efficient copper-catalyzed difunctionalization of propargylic carbonates through tandem nucleophilic substitution/boroprotonation has been developed, affording the formation of thiol-, selenium-, and boron-functionalized alkenes with high yield and stereoselectivity. Two distinct catalytic mechanisms involving a single reaction without any requirement of catalyst change were successfully demonstrated.