Cross-Coupling Reactions of Potassium Alkyltrifluoroborates with Aryl and 1-Alkenyl Trifluoromethanesulfonates

The palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of potassium alkyltrifluoroborates with aryl- or alkenyltriflates proceeds to afford the corresponding arenes or alkenes in high yield. The borates are all solids, stable in air, and thus can be stored on the shelf indefinitely. The cross coupling can be effected using PdCl2(dppf)·CH2Cl2 as the catalyst in THF−H2O in the presence of Cs2CO3. A variety of functional groups can be tolerated within the borate and/or the triflate coupling partner.