Borylation of α,β-Unsaturated Acceptors by Chitosan Composite Film Supported Copper Nanoparticles.

We describe here the preparation of copper nanoparticles stabilized on a chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite film. This material could catalyze the borylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated acceptors in aqueous media under mild conditions. The corresponding organoboron compounds as well as their converted beta-hydroxyl products were all obtained in good to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this catalyst of copper nanoparticles can be easily recycled eight times and remained catalytically reactive. This newly developed methodology provides an efficient and sustainable pathway for the synthesis of organoboron compounds and application of copper nanoparticles.