Carboxylation of alkylboranes by N-heterocyclic carbene copper catalysts: synthesis of carboxylic acids from terminal alkenes and carbon dioxide.

Caught in the act: N-Heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complexes (1; IPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) serve as an excellent catalyst for the carboxylation of alkylboranes (2; R=alkyl) with CO(2) to afford a variety of functionalized carboxylic acids (3) in high yields. A novel copper methoxide/alkylborane adduct (A) and its subsequent CO(2) insertion product (B) have been isolated and shown to be true active catalyst species.