Reductive Cross‐Coupling between Arylaldehydes and (Hetero)aryl Electrophiles Using Silylboronate Reductant

Abstract

A catalytic reductive cross‐coupling between arylaldehydes and aryl electrophiles using a silylboronate as a terminal reductant is described. The reaction involves a copper‐catalyzed silylboration of aldehydes affording the O‐borylated α‐silyl alcohols followed by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with aryl electrophiles. This protocol offers a new opportunity to access 1,1‐diarylmethanol derivatives without rare metals or highly basic organometallic reagents.