Rh(I)-Catalyzed Coupling of Conjugated Enynones with Arylboronic Acids: Synthesis of Furyl-Containing Triarylmethanes

Conjugated enynones can be used as carbene precursors to couple with arylboronic acids in the presence of Rh(I) catalyst. This reaction shows good functional compatibility, and a range of furyl-containing triarylmethanes can be smoothly synthesized from easily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistically, the formation of Rh(I) (2-furyl)carbene species and the subsequent carbene migratory insertion are proposed as the key steps in this reaction.