C–O Functionalization of α-Oxyboronates: A Deoxygenative <i>gem</i>-Diborylation and <i>gem</i>-Silylborylation of Aldehydes and Ketones

A deoxygenative gem-diborylation and gem-silylborylation of aldehydes and ketones is described. The key for the success of this transformation is the base-promoted C-O bond borylation or silylation of the generated α-oxyboronates. Experimental and theoretical studies exhibit that the C-O bond functionalization proceeds via an intramolecular five-membered transition-state (9-ts) boryl migration followed by a 1,2-metalate rearrangement with OBpin as a leaving group. The transformation occurs with an inversion on the carbon center. Direct conversion of aldehydes and ketones to gem-diboron compounds was achieved by combining copper catalysis with this base-promoted C-OBpin borylation. Various aldehydes and ketones were deoxygenatively gem-diborylated. gem-Silylborylation of aldehydes and ketones were achieved by a stepwise operation, in which B₂pin₂ initially react with those carbonyls followed by a silylation with Bpin-SiMe₂Ph.