Metal-Free Synthesis of Homopropargylic Alcohols from Aldehydes

J Org Chem. 2017 Nov 17;82(22):11787-11791. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.7b01629. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

Abstract

The synthesis of homopropargylic alcohols under metal-free and mild condition is described. This transformation is based on a one-pot procedure involving sequential α-alkynylation of acyclic aldehydes using hypervalent iodine reagents and borohydride reduction. The chemistry exhibits broad substrate scope and good scalability, providing a convenient route for the α-alkynylation of aldehydes along with the formation of a quaternary carbon center. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the gram-scale synthesis of the key synthetic precursor of botulinum toxin inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't