Boron-Templated Dimerization of Allylic Alcohols To Form Protected 1,3-Diols via Acid Catalysis.

We report an unprecedented boron-templated dimerization of allylic alcohols that generates a 1,3-diol product with two stereogenic centers in high yield and diastereoselectivity. This acid-catalyzed reaction is achieved via in situ formation of a boronic ester intermediate that facilitates selective cyclization and formation of a cyclic boronic ester product. High yields are observed with a variety of allylic alcohols, and mechanistic studies confirm the role of boron as a template for the reaction.

C-N Bond Formation from Allylic Alcohols via Cooperative Nickel and Titanium Catalysis.

Amination of allylic alcohols is facilitated via cooperative catalysis. Catalytic Ti(O- i-Pr)4 is shown to dramatically increase the rate of nickel-catalyzed allylic amination, and mechanistic experiments confirm activation of the allylic alcohol by titanium. Aminations of primary and secondary allylic alcohols are demonstrated with a variety of amine nucleophiles. Diene-containing substrates also cyclize onto the nickel allyl intermediate prior to amination, generating carbocyclic amine products. This tandem process is only achieved under our cooperative catalytic system.