Nickel-catalyzed 1,4-addition of trialkylboranes to α,β-unsaturated esters:: Dramatic enhancement by addition of methanol

[GRAPHICS] Nickel catalyst systems for 1,4-addition of trialkylboranes to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters have been developed. Addition of methanol was found to be essential for the alkylation reaction with 9-alkyl-9-BBNs.