Rhodium-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to alkynyl aza-heteroaromatic compounds in water

Alkynyl heteroaromatic compounds reacted with arylboronic acids to give addition products in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The best results were obtained when a novel pyridine-substituted water-soluble phosphine ligand was used. The reactions proceed to give trisubstituted alkenes from various arylboronic acids and alkynyl heteroaromatic compounds with high regioselectivity. Only alkynes with a nitrogen atom in proximity to the triple bond were converted to the corresponding alkenes, as expected for a chelation-controlled addition.