Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of 1,2-Hydroxyboronates through Cu-Catalyzed Additions of Alkylboronates to Aldehydes

The first catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 1,2-hydroxyboronates is reported. Reactions are promoted by a readily available chiral monodentate phosphoramidite-copper complex in the presence of an alkyl 1,1-diboron reagent. Products contain two contiguous stereogenic centers and are obtained in up to 91% yield, >98:2 d.r., and 98:2 e.r. The reaction is tolerant of aryl and vinyl aldehydes, and the 1,2-hydroxyboronate products can be transformed into versatile derivatives. Mechanistic experiments indicate control of absolute stereochemistry of the α-boryl component.