B(C6F5)3-catalyzed tandem protonation/deuteration and reduction of in situ-formed enamines†
Abstract
A highly efficient B(C6F5)3-catalyzed tandem protonation/deuteration and reduction of in situ-formed enamines in the presence of water and pinacolborane was developed. Regioselective β-deuteration of tertiary amines was achieved with high chemo- and regioselectivity. D2O was used as a readily available and cheap source of deuterium. Mechanistic studies indicated that B(C6F5)3 could activate water to promote the protonation and reduction of enamines.
- This article is part of the themed collections: p-Block Lewis Acids in Organic Synthesis and Synthetic methodology in OBC