Site-Selective α-Alkoxyl Alkynation of Alkyl Esters Mediated by Boryl Radicals

Org Lett. 2019 Apr 19;21(8):2927-2931. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b00985. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Abstract

A novel method for site-selective C-H functionalization of ethyl acetate mediated by pyridine-boryl radicals is presented, delivering a variety of 4-phenylbut-3-yn-2-yl acetate derivatives under mild conditions. A distinguishing feature of this reaction is that the pyridine-ligated boryl radicals can abstract the inactive α-hydrogen of the alkoxyl group instead of the α-hydrogen of carbonyl groups described in a previous report using amine-ligated boryl radicals. Significantly, substrates with halogen atoms are compatible under the reaction conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't