Multicatalytic Approach to One-Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of Secondary Benzylic Alcohols

One-pot procedures bear the potential to rapidly build up molecular complexity without isolation and purification of consecutive intermediates. Here, we report multicatalytic protocols that convert alkenes, unsaturated aliphatic alcohols, and aryl boronic acids into secondary benzylic alcohols with high stereoselectivities (typically >95:5 er) under sequential catalysis that integrates alkene cross-metathesis, isomerization, and nucleophilic addition. Prochiral allylic alcohols can be converted to any stereoisomer of the product with high stereoselectivity (>98:2 er, >20:1 dr).

Automated summary

The research presents a multicatalytic method for converting alkenes, unsaturated aliphatic alcohols, and aryl boronic acids into secondary benzylic alcohols with high stereoselectivity. Prochiral allylic alcohols can also be selectively transformed into different stereoisomers of the product.