Triethylborane-induced hydrogermylation of alkenes with tri-2-furylgermane

Abstract

Tri-2-furylgermane in the presence of a catalytic amount of triethylborane adds to internal alkenes as well as to terminal alkenes effectively, giving the corresponding adducts in good to excellent yields. The addition of tri-2-furylgermane to silyl enol ethers followed by elimination of germyl and siloxy moieties provides a new route for the conversion of ketones into alkenes.