Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Reactions of Trifluoroborate Salts with Benzhydryl Alcohols

Brønsted acid-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond forming methodology using potassium alkynyl- and alkenyltrifluoroborate salts has been developed. Organotrifluoroborates react with benzhydryl alcohols to afford a broad range of alkynes and alkenes in good to excellent yields. This protocol features good atom economy because organotrifluoroborate salts and alcohols react in a 1:1 ratio. Furthermore, a variety of unprotected functional groups were tolerated under the developed conditions, including amide, aldehyde, free hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid.