Cobalt-Catalyzed (E)-β-Selective Hydrogermylation of Terminal Alkynes.

A cobalt-catalyzed method for the hydrogermylation of alkynes is reported, providing a selective and accessible route to (E)-β-vinyl(trialkyl)germanes from terminal alkynes and HGeBu3. As shown in multiple examples, the developed method demonstrates a broad functional group tolerance an practical utility for late-stage hydrogermylation of natural products. The method is compatible with alkynes bearing both aryl and alkyl substituents, providing unrivaled selectivity for previously challenging 1° alkyl-substituted alkynes. Moreover, the catalyst used in this method, Co2(CO)8, is a cheap and commercially available reagent. Conducted mechanistic studies supported the syn-addition of Bu3GeH to an alkyne π-complex.