(<i>Z</i>)- or (<i>E</i>)-Selective Hydrogenation of Potassium (3,3,3-Trifluoroprop-1-yn-1-yl)trifluoroborate: Route to Either Isomer of β-Trifluoromethylstyrenes
vinylborate in >98% purity is described. The initially formed (Z)-isomer of the alkene is transformed to the (E)-isomer with time, irrespective of the catalyst used; coupling with bromo- and iodoarenes provides a variety of (Z)- or (E)-β-trifluoromethylstyrenes. Also, a safe synthesis of the alkynyltrifluoroborate from HFC-245fa and BF3·OEt2 has been described.