Borane-Induced Dimerization of Arylallenes

Chemoselective Coupling of π-Systems to Access Metallated 1,4- or 1,5-Skipped Dienes in Multicomponent Reactions

Integrating distinct unsaturated C-C systems while simultaneously installing metallic groups has been significantly challenging to execute in a multicomponent reaction. Therefore, designing a suitable mechanistic pathway that provides the required reactivity and selectivity for target C-C bonds with metallic reagents to ensure successful coupling is the key to success. Copper-catalyzed borylallylation and silylallylation have emerged as the most efficient strategies for assembling borylated/silylated skipped (1,4 or 1,5) dienes by catalytically combining an organocopper intermediate with allyl electrophiles. However, reactions involving interelemental reagents (e. g., [Si]-[B]) to accomplish intermolecular atom-economic couplings have not been studied thoroughly. Therefore, to aid the development of new transformations in this research area, this article attempts to include all precedents, including recent studies by the authors. The present Concept article may be helpful for researchers working in this area as it provides a basic conceptual framework.

1,2-Carboboration of Arylallenes by In Situ Generated Alkenylboranes for the Synthesis of 1,4-Dienes

We herein report a novel method for the coupling of unactivated alkynes and arylallenes, which relies on an unprecedented and regioselective 1,2-carboboration of the allene by an alkenylborane. The alkenylborane is conveniently prepared in situ by hydroboration of an alkyne with Piers' borane, i. e., HB(C6 F5 )2 . The boryl-substituted 1,4-dienes that are formed by this carboboration are well-suited for a subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with aryl iodides. This allowed us to develop a three-step, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of aryl-substituted 1,4-dienes. The generality of the reaction was demonstrated by the synthesis of twenty dienes with modular variations of all three reaction partners. The mechanism of the new 1,2-carboboration was investigated using dispersion corrected double-hybrid DFT computations that allowed us to rationalize the chemo- and regioselectivity of this key step.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Stabilized 1-Bora-1,3-butadienes

Deprotonation of [(NHC)(Fmes)B-allyl]⁺ borenium cations (NHC, IMes (a) or IMe₂ (b); Fmes, 2,4,6-(CF₃)₃C₆H₂) provides an easy entry to the NHC-stabilized 1-bora-1,3-butadienes. They feature a planar s-trans-conformation just like 1,3-butadiene. The 1-borabutadiene 7a undergoes hydroboration reactions; the HB(C₆F₅)₂ hydroboration product is trapped with CO or an isonitrile to give the respective cyclic zwitterionic borenium-borate enolate or enamide products. 1-Borabutadiene 7b undergoes 1,4-chalcogenation with elemental sulfur or selenium, and it gives the six-membered heterocyclic 1,4-addition product with the S═O bond of sulfur dioxide. Compound 7b served as a precursor for the formation of a borylated η³-allyl ligand at Ru. 7b formed a Rh complex by reaction with [Rh(ethylene)₂Cl]₂. It subsequently underwent an intramolecular C-H activation reaction to a mixture of η³-methyl-boraallyl Rh complex isomers.

Zinc Iodide Catalyzed Synthesis of Trisubstituted Allenes from Terminal Alkynes and Ketones

A straightforward, user-friendly, efficient protocol for the one pot, ZnI₂-catalyzed allenylation of terminal alkynes with pyrrolidine and ketones, toward trisubstituted allenes, is described. Trisubstituted allenes can be obtained under either conventional heating or microwave irradiation conditions, which significantly reduces the reaction time. A sustainable, widely available, and low-cost metal salt catalyst is employed, and the reactions are carried out under solvent-free conditions. Among others, synthetically valuable allenes bearing functionalities such as amide, hydroxyl, or phthalimide can be efficiently prepared. Mechanistic experiments, including kinetic isotope effect measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, suggest a rate-determining [1,5]-hydride transfer during the transformation of the intermediate propargylamine to the final allene.

Indene formation upon borane-induced cyclization of arylallenes, 1,1-carboboration, and retro-hydroboration

We herein report the reaction of arylallenes with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane that yields pentafluorophenyl substituted indenes. The tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane induces the cyclization of the allene and transfers a pentafluorophenyl ring in the course of this reaction. A Hammett plot analysis and DFT computations indicate a 1,1-carboboration to be the C-C bond-forming step.

Chromium-Catalyzed Selective Dimerization/Hydroboration of Allenes to Access Boryl-Functionalized Skipped (E,Z)-Dienes

A chromium-catalyzed dimerization/hydroboration of allenes is developed to access synthetically versatile boryl-functionalized skipped dienes with a catalyst generated in situ from CrCl₂ and a pyridine-2,6-diimine ligand ^mes PDI. A variety of allenes reacted with pinacolborane (HBpin) to afford the corresponding boryl-functionalized (E,Z)-1,4-dienes in high yields and with excellent selectivity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies suggest that this chromium-catalyzed reaction probably proceeds through a chromium(I) hydride intermediate.

Formation of Nucleophilic Allylboranes from Molecular Hydrogen and Allenes Catalyzed by a Pyridonate Borane that Displays Frustrated Lewis Pair Reactivity

Here we report the in situ generation of nucleophilic allylboranes from H₂ and allenes mediated by a pyridonate borane that displays frustrated‐Lewis‐pair reactivity. Experimental and computational mechanistic investigations reveal that upon H₂ activation, the covalently bound pyridonate substituent becomes a datively bound pyridone ligand. Dissociation of the formed pyridone borane complex liberates Piers borane and enables a hydroboration of the allene. The allylboranes generated in this way are reactive towards nitriles. A catalytic protocol for the formation of allylboranes from H₂ and allenes and the allylation of nitriles has been devised. This catalytic reaction is a conceptually new way to use molecular H₂ in organic synthesis.

Twenty-five years of bis-pentafluorophenyl borane: a versatile reagent for catalyst and materials synthesis

Highlights of the extensive chemistry and applications of bis-pentafluorophenyl borane (“Piers’ borane”) from the 25 years since its first appearance are featured.

Borane-induced ring closure reaction of oligomethylene-linked bis-allenes

The trimethylene-linked bis-allene 3a reacts with Piers' borane [HB(C₆F₅)₂] by a hydroboration/allylboration sequence to generate the cyclization product 5a. Its pyridine adduct was isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Compound 5a undergoes a typical frustrated Lewis pair 1,2-P/B alkene addition reaction with PPh₃ to give the heterobicyclic bridged olefinic zwitterionic product 9a. The tetramethylene-linked bis-allene 3b and its phenylene annulated analogue 3c react with HB(C₆F₅)₂ to give the analogous seven-membered ring products 5b,c under mild conditions. The cyclization product 5a undergoes a series of sequential allylboration reactions with two equivalents of allene followed by ring-closure to give the four-component coupling product 12a. It undergoes FLP addition to an exo-methylene group upon treatment with PPh₃. Compound 12a is oxidatively converted to the boron-free alcohol.

Halogenoborane mediated allene cyclooligomerization

Allene reacts with the strongly electrophilic halogenoboranes XB(C₆F₅)₂ (X: Cl or Br) by forming a mixture of 1,3,5-trimethylenecyclohexane and the stoichiometric halogeno-borated tetramerization products.

The halogenoboranes XB(C₆F₅)₂ (X: Cl, Br) react with allene to give a mixture of the cyclotrimer 1,3,5-trimethylenecyclohexane (1) and the related halogenoborylated cyclotetramerization products 3a and 3b. Alkyl-substituted allenes were catalytically cyclotrimerized metal-free by XB(C₆F₅)₂ (X: Cl, Br) to give cis,trans-2,4,6-trialkyl-1,3,5-trimethylenecyclohexanes under mild conditions.

Arylallenes and the halogeno-B(C6F5)2 reagents: facile formation of 2-borylindenes

Allenylarenes are converted to the respective 2-borylindenes by treatment with chloro- or bromobis(pentafluorophenyl)borane.