Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.137, No.4, 1424-1427, 2015
Copper-Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Terminal Alkynes
We have developed a copper-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes using alkyl triflates as coupling partners and (Me2HSi)(2)O as a hydride donor. The hydroalkylation proceeds with excellent anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity and provides exclusively (E)-alkenes. We have demonstrated that both alkyl- and aryl-substituted alkynes can be used as substrates, together with 1 degrees alkyl and benzylic triflates. Finally, the transformation can be accomplished in the presence of a wide range of functional groups. Overall, the new hydroalkylation reaction allows highly efficient and diastereospecific synthesis of (E)-alkenes from readily available terminal alkynes and alkyl triflates. On the basis of a preliminary mechanistic study, we propose that the hydroalkylation reaction involves copper hydride formation, hydrocupration of an alkyne, and alkylation of an alkenyl copper intermediate.