Regiocontrolled Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of propargylic-functionalized internal alkynes.

Good to excellent reactivity and regiocontrol have been achieved in the Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of dialkyl internal alkynes with bis(pinacolato)diboron. The presence of a propargylic polar group (OH, OR, SAr, SO(2)Ar, or NHTs), in combination with PCy(3) as ligand, allowed maximizing the reactivity and site-selectivity (β to the propargylic function). DFT calculations suggest a subtle orbitalic influence from the propargylic group, matched with ligand and substrate size effects, as key factors involved in the high β-selectivity. The vinylboronates allowed the stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted olefins, while allylic substitution of the SO(2)Py group without affecting the boronate group provided access to formal hydroboration products of unbiased dialkylalkynes.