Copper-Catalyzed and Proton-Directed Selective Hydroxymethylation of Alkynes with CO₂

An intriguing strategy for copper-catalyzed hydroxymethylation of alkynes with CO₂ and hydrosilane was developed. Switched on/off a proton source, for example, ^t BuOH, direct hydroxymethylation and reductive hydroxymethylation could be triggered selectively, delivering a series of allylic alcohols and homobenzylic alcohols, respectively, with high levels of Z/E, regio- and enantioselectivity. Such a selective synthesis is attributed to the differences in response of vinylcopper intermediate to proton and CO₂ . The protonation of vinylcopper species is demonstrated to be prior to hydroxymethylation, thus allowing a diversion from direct alkyne hydroxymethylation to reductive hydroxymethylation in the presence of suitable proton.