A new catalytic route to borylgermyl-substituted buta-1,3-dienes

The [Ru(CO)CIH(PCy3)(2)] catalyzed reaction of terminal germyl-substituted alkynes with vinylboronates gives borylgermyl-substituted buta-1,3-dienes as products with high stereo- and regioselectivity. The process that proceeds via direct activation of the C-sp-H bond in the germylalkyne, is a very effective and easy tool for the synthesis of unique borylgermylated alkynes. Eight new compounds were synthesized and fully characterized spectrally. We also determined the mechanism of the process on the basis of stoichiometric reactions, kinetic measurements and DFT calculations. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.