Rhodium-catalyzed cascade reactions: A methylenation-hydroboration homologative process

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2005.03.058

A very efficient rhodium-catalyzed cascade process allowing the transformation of aldehydes and ketones into their corresponding one or two-carbon homologated alcohol products through a methylenation-hydroboration sequence is reported. Wilkinson's complex is used to catalyze both reactions in a one-pot procedure that does not require the isolation of the alkene intermediate.