Ligand-Free Copper-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Reaction of para-Quinone Methides with gem-Diborylalkanes

We report a ligand-free copper-catalyzed 1,6-addition of alpha-borylalkyl copper species, catalytically generated from gem-diborylalkanes to para-quinone methides. The reaction proceeds with good yield for a variety of para-quinone methides and substituted gem-diborylalkanes with a catalytic amount of CuI as catalyst. This catalytic system provides a cost-effective process with good functional group tolerance under mild conditions.

Automated summary

We report a ligand-free copper-catalyzed 1,6-addition reaction of alpha-borylalkyl copper species with para-quinone methides. The reaction, catalytically generated from gem-diborylalkanes, shows good yield for various para-quinone methides and substituted gem-diborylalkanes with a catalytic amount of CuI. This catalytic system provides a cost-effective process with good functional group tolerance under mild conditions.