Nonracemic alpha-allenyl carbinols from asymmetric propargylation with the 10-trimethylsilyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes.

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric propargylboration of aldehydes at -78 degrees C in <3 h with 1 provides silylated alpha-allenyl carbinols 6 (60-87%) in high ee (94% to >98% ee). The reagents 1 are easily prepared in both enantiomeric forms with a simple Grignard procedure and air-stable borinate complexes 2. The ozonolysis of 6 proceeds smoothly through an acylsilane intermediate to give a TMS ester, which is hydrolyzed to the alpha-hydroxy acid quantitatively with water.