Palladium-catalyzed 1,2-addition of potassium aryl- and alkenyltrifluoroborates to aldehydes using thioether-imidazolinium carbene ligands.

Palladium-catalyzed 1,2-addition of potassium aryl- and alkenyltrifluoroborates to aldehydes using thioether-imidazolinium carbene ligands proceeded readily under aqueous conditions. This process tolerated a diverse range of potassium trifluoroborate salts and aldehydes, giving a variety of carbinol derivatives with good to excellent yields.