Enantioselective synthesis of tertiary boronic esters through catalytic asymmetric reversed hydroboration

Chiral tertiary boronic esters are important precursors to bioactive compounds and versatile synthetic intermediates to molecules containing quaternary stereocenters. The development of conjugate boryl addition to α,β-unsaturated amide has been hampered by the intrinsic low electrophilicity of the amide group. Here we show the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of enantioenriched tertiary boronic esters through hydroboration of β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated amides. The Rh-catalyzed hydroboration occurs with previously unattainable selectivity to provide tertiary boronic esters in high enantioselectivity. This strategy opens a door for the hydroboration of inert Michael acceptors with high stereocontrol and may provide future applications in the synthesis of biologically active molecules.