Copper‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Diboron Reagents to α,β‐Unsaturated Amides: Highly Reactive Copper‐1,2‐ Bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene Catalyst System

Abstract magnified image An efficient copper catalyst system for the β‐boration of α,β‐unsaturated amides has been developed. Copper‐bisphosphine complexes with small bite angles generate efficient catalyst systems for the successful conjugate addition of bis(pinacolato)diboron to a variety α,β‐unsaturated amides under mild conditions. This method was utilized in the formal synthesis of ( S )‐fluoxetine.