Formation of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

What is it about?

A nickel-catalyzed highly regioselective 1,4-addition reaction of boronic acids to dienones to form products with an all-carbon quaternary center is described. The 3-alkenyl group of dienones is the key for the reaction to proceed smoothly. A mechanism involving the coordination of the dienyl group to the nickel center is proposed.

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Why is it important?

The reaction is quite interesting that form all carbon quaternary centers via 1,4-addition of bronic acid to dienones. The reaction is driven by the alkene moiety at beta carboon. If no alkene moiety in beta position of enone, no reaction were occurred.