Transition Metal-Free Trans Hydroboration of Alkynoic Acid Derivatives: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

We report a phosphine-catalyzed trans hydroboration of alkynoate esters and amides. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with exclusive (E)-selectivity to afford (E)-β-boryl acrylates and (E)-β-boryl acrylamides in good to excellent yields. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of functional groups and allows efficient access to novel oxaboroles as well as a pargyline derivative (MAO inhibitor). Theoretical calculations suggest an internal hydride generates a phosphonium allenoxyborane followed by the formation of a key phosphonocyclobutene intermediate that collapses in a stereoselective, rate-limiting step.