Copper-Catalyzed <i>anti</i>-Selective Radical 1,2-Alkylarylation of Terminal Alkynes

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed highly <i>anti</i>-selective radical 1,2-alkylarylation of terminal alkynes with aryl boronic acids and alkyl bromides has been established. The reaction exhibits high compatibility with a wide range of terminal alkynes and diverse aryl boronic acids, thus providing facile access to various stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes in high yield under mild reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic investigations support the formation of alkyl radicals and their subsequent addition to alkynes in the reaction.