Synthesis and Applications of Unquaternized C-Bound Boron Enolates

A general and facile method to prepare unquaternized C-bound boron enolates by a ligand-controlled O-to-C isomerization is reported. Using this protocol, C-bound pinacolboron enolates have been isolated in pure form for the first time, and have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In contrast to the general perception, such C-boron enolates are stable without coordinative saturation at the boron. Moreover, C-boron enolates present reactivities that are distinct from the O-boron enolates, and their applications in C-O and C-C bond formations are demonstrated.