α-Arylation of Enaminones Using Organotrifluoroborates

Significance

Structures possessing a 3-aryl­piperidine and similar heterocyclic scaffolds are known to display a broad spectrum of biological activity. Cyclic enaminones are useful precursors for that type of compounds. This method of a enaminone arylation competes favorably with the previously known halogenation-cross-coupling sequence, as it proceeds in a single step. A variety of enaminones and aryltrifluoroborates can be successfully involved in this reaction. Many functional groups including halides are tolerated.