Copper(I)-catalyzed borylative exo-cyclization of alkenyl halides containing unactivated double bond.

A borylative exo-cyclization of alkenyl halides has been reported. The reaction includes the regioselective addition of a borylcopper(I) intermediate to unactivated terminal alkenes, followed by the intramolecular substitution of the resulting alkylcopper(I) moiety for the halide leaving groups. Experimental and theoretical investigations of the reaction mechanism have also been described. This reaction provides a new method for the synthesis of alkylboronates containing strained cycloalkyl structures from simple starting materials.