Copper-catalyzed β-boration of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with tetrahydroxydiborane.

The copper-catalyzed β-boration of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with tetrahydroxydiborane has been developed. This diboron reagent allows direct, efficient access to boronic acids and their derivatives. Primary, secondary, and tertiary α,β-unsaturated amides are converted to the corresponding β-trifluoroboratoamides in good to excellent yields. The β-boration of a variety of α,β-unsaturated esters and ketones is also reported.