Application of the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons Olefination in the Construction of E-α,β-Unsaturated β-Boryl Nitriles

Herein, we describe a simple transition-metal-free synthesis of E-α,β-unsaturated β-boryl nitriles by the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction starting from potassium acyltrifluoroborates. The methodology encompasses a broad range of alkyl and aryl substrates. The reaction conditions are simple, and the reaction products are in most cases isolated with good yields as pure E isomers without column chromatography.