Highly Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)-Trisubstituted Alkenes via Propyne Bromoboration and Tandem Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling

Contrary to all previous reports, bromoboration of propyne with BBr3 proceeds in >= 98% syn-selectivity to produce (Z)-2-bromo-1-propenyldibromoborane (1). Although 1 is readily prone to stereoisomerization, it can be converted to the pinacolboronate (2) of >= 98% isomeric purity by treatment with pinacol, which may then be subjected to Negishi coupling to give trisubstituted (Z)-alkenylpinacolboronates (3) containing various R groups in 73-90% yields. Iodinolysis of 3 affords alkenyl iodides (4) in 80-90% yields. All alkenes isolated and identified are >= 98% Z