Divergent elementoboration: 1,3-haloboration versus 1,1-carboboration of propargyl esters

This work showcases the 1,3‐haloboration reaction of alkynes in which boron and chlorine add to propargyl systems in a proposed sequential oxazoliumborate formation with subsequent ring‐opening and chloride migration. In addition, the functionalization of these propargyl esters with dimethyl groups in the propargylic position leads to stark differences in reactivity whereby a formal 1,1‐carboboration prevails to give the 2,2‐dichloro‐3,4‐dihydrodioxaborinine products as an intramolecular chelate. Density functional theory calculations are used to rationalize the distinct carboboration and haloboration pathways. Significantly, this method represents a metal‐free route to highly functionalized compounds in a single step to give structurally complex products