Copper(I)-catalyzed regioselective addition of nucleophilic silicon across terminal and internal carbon-carbon triple bonds.

Abstract

The copper(I) alkoxide-catalyzed release of a silicon-based cuprate reagent from a silicon-boron pronucleophile is applied to the addition across carbon-carbon triple bonds. Commercially available CuBr⋅Me2S was found to be a general precatalyst that secures high regiocontrol for both aryl- and alkyl-substituted terminal as well as internal alkynes. The solvent greatly influences the regioisomeric ratio, favoring the linear regioisomer with terminal acceptors. This facile protocol even allows for the transformation of internal acceptors with remarkable levels of regio- and diastereocontrol.