Hydroboration of Terminal Alkenes and trans-1,2-Diboration of Terminal Alkynes Catalyzed by a Manganese(I) Alkyl Complex

A Mn-I-catalyzed hydroboration of terminal alkenes and a 1,2-diboration of terminal alkynes with pinacolborane (HBPin) is described. For alkenes, anti-Markovnikov hydroboration takes place; for alkynes the reaction proceeds with excellent trans-1,2-selectivity. The most active pre-catalyst is bench-stable alkyl bisphosphine Mn-I complex fac-[Mn(dippe)(CO)(3)(CH2CH2CH3)]. The catalytic process is initiated by migratory insertion of a CO ligand into the Mn-alkyl bond to yield an acyl intermediate, which undergoes B-H bond cleavage of HBPin (for alkenes) and rapid C-H bond cleavage (for alkynes), forming the active Mn-I boryl and acetylide catalysts [Mn(dippe)(CO)(2)(BPin)] and [Mn(dippe)(CO)(2)(C equivalent to CR)], respectively. A broad variety of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes and alkynes was efficiently and selectively borylated. Mechanistic insights are provided based on experimental data and DFT calculations revealing that an acceptorless reaction is operating involving dihydrogen release.

Automated summary

The Mn-catalyzed hydroboration of terminal alkenes and the 1,2-diboration of terminal alkynes with pinacolborane have been successfully achieved. The most active pre-catalyst is a bench-stable alkyl bisphosphine Mn-I complex. The catalytic process involves migratory insertion of a CO ligand into the Mn-alkyl bond to yield an acyl intermediate, which further undergoes B-H bond cleavage or C-H bond cleavage for alkenes and alkynes, respectively, forming active Mn-I boryl and acetylide catalysts.