Improved synthesis of tertiary alcohols from reactions of organoboranes with 2-lithio-1,3-benzodithioles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(01)86872-6

Treatment of trialkylboranes with 2-lithio-1,3-benzodithioles and then mercuric chloride (or methyl fluorosulhonate) followed by oxidation gives tertiary alcohols in high yields. The method is applicable to reactions of hindered organoboranes that fail using 1-lithio-1,1-bis(phenylthio)alkanes.