Tetrahydroxydiboron-Promoted Radical Addition of Alkynols

Abstract

Tetrahydroxydiboron has previously been used as a borylation or reducing reagent in organic synthesis. Herein, we present a novel tetrahydroxydiboron-promoted radical addition of internal alkynes followed by intramolecular oxidation of alcohol through 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer. Preliminary mechanistic studies showed that the process might be initiated through N,N-dimethylformamide-assisted homolytic cleavage of tetrahydroxydiboron. This process provides a convenient synthesis of fluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes with a pendant aldehyde or ketone moiety.