1,2-Azaborine cations

Rapid and Modular Access to Multifunctionalized 1,2-Azaborines via Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis

1,2-Azaborines, a unique class of BN-isosteres of benzene, have attracted great interest across several fields. While significant advancements have been made in the postfunctionalization of 1,2-azaborines, challenges still exist for the selective functionalization of the C4 position and access to 1,2-azaborines with five or six independently installed substituents. Here we report a rapid and modular method for C3 and C4 difunctionalization of 1,2-azaborines using the palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis. Enabled by the C2 amide-substituted NBE, diverse 3-iodo-1,2-azaborines can be used as substrates, showing broad functional group tolerance. Besides ortho arylation, preliminary success of ortho alkylation has also been realized. In addition, a range of alkenes and nucleophiles can be employed for ipso C3 functionalization. The reaction is scalable, and various postfunctionalizations, including forming hexa-substituted 1,2-azaborines, have been achieved.

Crystalline 2π Aromatic Azadiboriridinylium: A BN Analogue of Cyclopropenylium Cation

N-Substitution of a thermally unstable diboratriazole 1 with a trimethylsilyl group affords a remarkably stable diboratriazole derivative 2. Ring contraction of 2 with an N-heterocyclic carbene accompanied by the release of N2 as well as 1,4-hydrogen shift affords a carbene-stabilized azadiboriridine 3. Abstraction of the H-B3mem hydride in 3 with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate leads to the isolation of a hitherto unknown azadiboriridinylium 4, the first BN analogue of cyclopropenylium cation. X-ray diffraction analysis and computational studies confirmed the delocalization of π electrons over the B2 N three-membered ring, indicating the 2π aromatic feature. Compound 4 undergoes ring expansion reactions with azobenzene and pyridazine to furnish triazadiborolidinylium species 5 and 6, the latter of which possesses a cationic B2 N3 ring with a pronounced 6π aromatic property. Moreover, the reaction of 4 with a diazo compound produces a cationic B2 N3 C pentafulvene derivative 7.

Palladium-Catalyzed Atroposelective Kinetic C-H Olefination and Allylation for the Synthesis of C-B Axial Chirality

The direct C-H functionalization of 1,2-benzazaborines, especially asymmetric version, remains a great challenge. Here we report a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective C-H olefination and allylation reactions of 1,2-benzazaborines. This asymmetric approach is a kinetic resolution (KR), providing various C-B axially chiral 2-aryl-1,2-benzazaborines and 3-substituted 2-aryl-1,2-benzazaborines in generally high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (selectivity (S) factor up to 354). The synthetic potential of this reaction is showcased by late-stage modification of complex molecules, scale-up reaction, and applications.

The Versatile Reaction Chemistry of an Alpha-Boryl Diazo Compound

The first α-boryl diazo compound that is capable of engaging in classic synthetic organic diazo reaction chemistry is described. The diazomethyl-1,2-azaborine 1, which is a BN isostere of phenyldiazomethane, is significantly more stable than phenyldiazomethane; its reaction chemistry ranges from C-H activation, O-H activation, [3+2] cycloaddition, and halogenation, to Ru-catalyzed carbonyl olefination. The demonstrated broad range of reactivity of diazomethyl-1,2-azaborine 1 makes it an exceptionally versatile synthetic building block for the 1,2-azaborine heterocyclic motif.

Syntheses and Physical Properties of Cationic BN-Embedded Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Cationic BN-embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BN-PAH⁺ s) were synthesized from a nitrogen-containing macrocycle via pyridine-directed tandem C-H borylation. Incorporating BN into PAH⁺ resulted in a remarkable hypsochromic shift due to an increase in the LUMO energy and the symmetry changes of the HOMO and LUMO. Electrophilic substitution or anion exchange of BN-PAH⁺ possessing tetrabromoborate as a counter anion (BN⁺ [BBr₄ ^- ]) afforded air-stable BN-PAH/PAH⁺ s. Of these, BN⁺ [TfO^- ] allowed reversible two-electron reduction and the formation of two-dimensional brickwork-type π-electronic ion pair with 1,2,3,4,5-pentacyanocyclopentadienyl anion, demonstrating the potential application of BN-PAH⁺ as electronic materials.

A BN-Doped Cycloparaphenylene Debuts

The first example of a BN-doped cycloparaphenylene BN-[10]CPP was synthesized and characterized. Its reactivity and photophysical properties were evaluated in direct comparison to its carbonaceous analogues Mes-[10]CPP and [10]CPP. While the photophysical properties of BN-[10]CPP remains similar to its carbonaceous analogues, the electronic structure changes associated with the introduction of a 1,2-azaborine BN heterocycle into a CPP scaffold enables facile and selective late-stage functionalizations that cannot be accomplished with carbonaceous CPPs. Specifically, Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of BN-[10]CPP selectively reduces the BN heterocyclic ring, which upon hydrolysis produces a rare example of a macrocyclic paraphenylene 6 incorporating the versatile ketone functionality within the macrocyclic ring.

Accessing 1,2-Substituted Cyclobutanes through 1,2-Azaborine Photoisomerization

We provide a seminal example of the utility of the 1,2-azaborine motif as a 4C+1N+1B synthon in organic synthesis. Specifically, conditions for the practically scalable photoisomerization of 1,2-azaborine in a flow reactor are reported that furnish aminoborylated cyclobutane derivatives. The C-B bonds could also be functionalized to furnish a diverse set of highly substituted cyclobutanes.

Aromatic Metamorphosis of Indoles into 1,2-Benzazaborins

Among the plethora of aromatic compounds, indoles represent a privileged class of substructures that is ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceuticals. While numerous exocyclic functionalizations of indoles have provided access to a variety of useful derivatives, endocyclic transformations involving the cleavage of the C2-N bond remain challenging due to the high aromaticity and strength of this bond in indoles. Herein, we report the "aromatic metamorphosis" of indoles into 1,2-benzazaborins via the insertion of boron into the C2-N bond. This endocyclic insertion consists of a reductive ring-opening using lithium metal and a subsequent trapping of the resulting dianionic species with organoboronic esters. Considering that 1,2-azaborins have attracted increasing academic and industrial attention as BN isosteres of benzene, the counterintuitive aromatic metamorphosis presented herein can feasibly be expected to substantially advance the promising chemistry of 1,2-azaborins.

Late-stage functionalization of BN-heterocycles

BN/CC isosterism has emerged as a viable strategy to expand the chemical space of organic molecules. In particular, the application of BN/CC isosterism to arenes has received significant attention due to the vast available chemical space provided by aromatic hydrocarbons. The synthetic efforts directed at assembling novel aromatic BN heterocycles have resulted in the discovery of new properties and functions in a variety of fields including biomedical research, medicinal chemistry, materials science, catalysis, and organic synthesis. This tutorial review specifically covers recent advances in synthetic technologies that functionalize assembled boron-nitrogen (BN) heterocycles and highlights their distinct reactivity and selectivity in comparison to their carbonaceous counterparts. It is intended to serve as a state-of-the-art compendium for readers who are interested in the reaction chemistry of BN heterocycles.

The Dewar Isomer of 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-azaborinines: Isolation, Fragmentation, and Energy Storage

The photochemistry of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborinine derivatives was studied under matrix isolation conditions and in solution. Photoisomerization occurs exclusively to the Dewar valence isomers upon irradiation with UV light (>280 nm) with high quantum yield (46 %). Further photolysis with UV light (254 nm) results in the formation of cyclobutadiene and an iminoborane derivative. The thermal electrocyclic ring-opening reaction of the Dewar valence isomer back to the 1,2-dihydro-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2-mesityl-1,2-azaborinine has an activation barrier of (27.0±1.2) kcal mol-1 . In the presence of the Wilkinson catalyst, the ring opening occurs rapidly and exothermically (ΔH=(-48±1) kcal mol-1 ) at room temperature.

Borenium and boronium ions of 5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine and the reaction with non-nucleophilic base: trapping of a dimer and a trimer of BN-phenanthryne by 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine

6-Chloro-5,6-dihydro-dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine (1) reacts with pyridine derivatives to borenium or boronium ions. The boronium ion obtained from reaction with an excess of pyridine could be characterized structurally and transforms into the borenium ion in solution. The reaction of 1 with 2,2′-bipyridine (a) and derivatives (b: 6,6′-dimethyl; c: 4,4′-di-tert-butyl) results in spirocyclic boronium ions 8a–c of which 8b could be characterized by X-ray crystallography. Despite the chelate effect, the spirocyclic boronium ions readily undergo hydrolysis or alcoholysis. Treatment of the spirocyclic boronium ion 8c with potassium hexamethyl disilazide (KHMDS) results in neutral products that are monomers, dimers, or trimers of dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine (“BN-phenanthryne”) trapped with 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine by formation of B–C, B–N, or dative B–N bonds, indicative of deprotonation of NH and CH bonds of the boronium ion by KHMDS.

A Boron Protecting Group Strategy for 1,2-Azaborines

Upon reaction with either molecular oxygen or di-tert-butylperoxide in the presence of a simple copper(I) salt and an alcohol, a range of 1,2-azaborines readily exchange B-alkyl or B-aryl moieties for B-alkoxide fragments. This transformation allows alkyl and aryl groups to serve for the first time as removable protecting groups for the boron position of 1,2-azaborines during reactions that are not compatible with the easily modifiable B-alkoxide moiety. This reaction can be applied to synthesize a previously inaccessible BN isostere of ethylbenzene, a compound of interest in biomedical research. A sequence of epoxide ring opening using N-deprotonated 1,2-azaborines followed by an intramolecular version of the boron deprotection reaction can be applied to access the first examples of BN isosteres of dihydrobenzofurans and benzofurans, classes of compounds that are important to medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis.

A DFT study on 1,4-dihydro-1,4-azaborinine annulated linear polyacenes: Absorption spectra, singlet-triplet energy gap, aromaticity, and HOMO-LUMO energy modulation

Linear polyacene (LPA) mimics containing multiple heterocycles have been computationally designed by annulating 1,4-dihydro-1,4-azaborinine moieties to benzene (aB₁ -aB₅ ), naphthalene (aN₁ -aN₅ ), anthracene (aA₁ -aA₅ ), and tetracene (aT₁ -aT₅ ) cores. DFT studies conducted on them using M06L/6-311++G(d,p) method reveal a perfect planar structure for all and suggest the utilization of nitrogen lone pairs for aromatic π-electron delocalization. The computed values of aromaticity indices such as HOMA, NICS, and dehydrogenation energy (E_dh ) of heterocycles support strong aromatic character for each six-membered ring in the LPA mimics. On the basis of the minimum value of the molecular electrostatic potential (V_min ) observed on each LPA unit in the LPA mimics, the extended delocalization of π-electrons is verified. The energetic parameter E_dh showed strong linear correlation with HOMA, NICS and V_min parameters, which strongly supports the multidimensional character of aromaticity in LPA mimics. The electronic property modification is shown by the theoretical absorption spectra data and singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔE_ST ). The bandgap and ΔE_ST tunings are achieved for LPA mimics by selecting appropriate number of azaborinine type units and the size of LPA core used for annulation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[d]-Carbon-carbon double bond engineering in diazaphosphepines: a pathway to modulate the chemical and electronic structures of heteropines

We have designed and synthesized the first examples of 7-membered diazaphosphepines using phosphorus-amine (P-N) chemistry. Different from previous functional protocols of heteropines, the installation of π-conjugated substituents having diverse chemistries at the [d]-C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond position of heteropine core allows us to effectively control the chemical and electronic structures in both the ground and excited states of these diazaphosphepines. This functionalization has led to a diverse set of crystal structures, which has in turn provided access to rich photophysical and redox properties. Of particular interest is the evidence for planar π-conjugated backbone in our non-aromatic heteropine and twisted intramolecular charge transfer, which have never been reported for heteropines. The introduction of electron-accepting substituents at [d]-position of diazaphosphepines results in heteropines that are more electron deficient than any heteropine reported to-date. As proof of concept, we have fabricated organic solar cells with heteropines as non-fullerene acceptors.

Regioselective Catalytic and Stepwise Routes to Bulky, Functional-Group-Appended, and Luminescent 1,2-Azaborinines

The regioselective syntheses of 1,2-azaborinines is achieved using an unsymmetrical iminoborane through both catalytic and stepwise modular routes. The 1,2-azaborinine ring can be selectively functionalized in the 4- and/or 6-position through control of the stepwise reaction sequence, allowing access to vinyl-functionalized and redox-active, luminescent, donor-functionalized 1,2-azaborinines. The electrochemistry and photochemistry of a tetraarylamine-substituted 1,2-azaborinine are studied. Cyclic voltammetry of this compound, relative to a non-B,N-substituted reference molecule, showed an additional oxidation wave assigned to the oxidation of the azaborinine ring, while emission spectroscopy indicated that the azaborinine was significantly more fluorescent than the reference.

Ring expansion reactions of anti-aromatic boroles: a promising synthetic avenue to unsaturated boracycles

The ability of anti-aromatic boroles to undergo ring expansion reactions with a broad range of substrates as an effective synthetic protocol towards a diverse array of 6-, 7-, and 8-membered boracycles is detailed in this review.

Oxygen insertion into boroles as a route to 1,2-oxaborines

The synthesis of 1,2-oxaborines is accomplishedviathe reaction of pentaarylboroles withN-methylmorpholine-N-oxideviaa 1,1-insertion reaction.

One-Pot Synthesis of Brightly Fluorescent Mes2B-Functionalized Indolizine Derivatives via Cycloaddition Reactions

Four new BMes2-functionalized indolizine derivatives (Mes = mesityl) have been prepared via the cycloaddition reaction between pyrido[2,1-a]isoindole (A) or pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyridine (B) and BMes2-containing alkynes. All four compounds are brightly blue or blue-green fluorescent with λ(em) = 428-495 nm and Φ = 0.27-0.68, depending on the substitution position of the BMes2 group. Experimental and TD-DFT computational data indicated that the primary electronic transitions responsible for the fluorescence of 1-4 are from HOMO to LUMO (π → π*) rather than charge transfer from N → B, which is in agreement with previous findings suggesting that the lone-pair on N is delocalized throughout the N-heterocycles.

Late-Stage Functionalization of 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-azaborines via Regioselective Iridium-Catalyzed C-H Borylation: The Development of a New N,N-Bidentate Ligand Scaffold

The first general late-stage functionalization of monocyclic 1,2-azaborines at the C(6) position is described. Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation occurs regioselectively at the C(6) position of B-substituted 1,2-azaborines and is compatible with a range of substitution patterns at boron (e.g., hydride, alkoxide, alkyl, and aryl substituents). Subsequent Suzuki cross coupling with aryl- and heteroaryl bromides furnishes 1,2-azaborine-based biaryl compounds including 6-[pyrid-2-yl]-1,2-azaborines that represent novel κ(2)-N,N-bidentate ligands. The 6-[pyrid-2-yl]-B-Me-1,2-azaborine ligand has been demonstrated to form an emissive coordination complex with dimesitylboron that exhibits bathochromically shifted absorption and emission maxima and a higher photoluminescence quantum yield compared to its carbonaceous analogue.

Synthesis of 1,2-borazaronaphthalenes from imines by base-promoted borylation of C-H bond

A new route from benzylic imines permits the synthesis of 1,2-borazaronaphthalenes in good yields. The reaction involves formation of the enamidyl dibromoborane, which undergoes base-promoted borylation of the nearby aromatic C-H bond. Electrophilic attack of the boron species onto the benzylic arene is supported by the slow borylation of arenes substituted with electron-withdrawing groups. The resultant boron bromides can be easily substituted with lithium reagents to provide a range of products. The electronic properties of these 1,2-borazaronaphthalene derivatives have been investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Rhodium-catalyzed B-H activation of 1,2-azaborines: synthesis and characterization of BN isosteres of stilbenes

The first example of catalytic B-H activation of azaborines leading to a new family of stilbene derivatives through dehydrogenative borylation is reported. Ten 1,2-azaborine-based BN isosteres of stilbenes have been synthesized using this method, including a BN isostere of a biologically active stilbene. It is demonstrated that BN/CC isosterism in the context of stilbenes can lead to significant changes in the observed photophysical properties such as higher quantum yield and a larger Stokes shift. Direct comparative analysis of BN stilbene 3g and its carbonaceous counterpart 6g is consistent with a stronger charge-transfer character of the excited state exhibited by 3g in which the 1,2-azaborine heterocycle serves as a better electron donor than the corresponding arene.

Protecting group-free synthesis of 1,2-azaborines: a simple approach to the construction of BN-benzenoids

The protecting group-free synthesis of a versatile 1,2-azaborine synthon 5 is described. Previously inaccessible 1,2-azaborine derivatives, including the BN isostere of phenyl phenylacetate and BN1 triphenylmethane were prepared from 5 and characterized. The structural investigation of BN phenyl phenylacetate revealed the presence of a unique NH-carbonyl hydrogen bond that is not present in the corresponding carbonaceous analogue. The methyne CH in BN triphenylmethane was found to be less acidic than the corresponding proton in triphenylmethane. The gram-quantity synthesis of the parent 1,2-azaborine 4 was demonstrated, which enabled the characterization of its boiling point, density, refractive index, and its polarity on the ET(30) scale.

Thermodynamically Controlled, Dynamic Binding of Diols to a 1,2-BN Cyclohexane Derivative

The reversible covalent binding of diols to an N-Bn 1,2-BN cyclohexane has been studied by ¹¹B and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The activation barrier for the reversible B-N Lewis acid-base interaction has been measured by variable-temperature NMR with bound (2R,3R)-(-)-2,3-butanediol (T_c = -40 °C, ΔG^‡ = 11.2 ± 0.2 kcal mol^-1). Deuterium labeling experiments demonstrate that ligand exchange is reversible and rapid at room temperature, and competitive binding studies establish diol association as a thermodynamically controlled process.

CLUSTERGEN: a program for molecular cluster generation from crystallographic data

A new program,CLUSTERGEN, for molecular cluster generation is introduced.CLUSTERGENprovides the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) input files for program packages such asADF[Baerendset al.(2012). Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands] andGAUSSIAN[Frischet al.(2009). Gaussian Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA]. Additionally, it prints out a standardCRYSTAL[Dovesiet al.(2009). University of Turin, Italy] input and, in general, facilitates file-format manipulation. TheCLUSTERGENprogram is supported by an extensive manual and a user-friendly graphical interface. The code is freely available and carefully commented, which makes it easily modifiable. Exemplary applications ofCLUSTERGENconcerning QM/MM calculations and derivation of nucleus-independent chemical shift indices are demonstrated.