Cross-coupling reactions of alkenylsilanols with fluoroalkylsulfonates: development and optimization of a mild and stereospecific coupling process

The development of an effective protocol for the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of (E)-alkenylsilanols with aryl triflates is described. A critical component in the optimization of this method was balancing the stability and reactivity of the triflates in the presence of a nucleophilic promoter. This report highlights the use of a slightly soluble Brønsted base promoter that allows for a low, steady-state concentration of alkenyl(dimethyl)silanolate in solution, thus facilitating cross-coupling in preference to S–O bond cleavage of the triflate.