Hydrogenation of Borylated Arenes

Arene Reduction by Rh/Pd or Rh/Pt under 1 atm Hydrogen Gas and Room Temperature

Current methods for arene hydrogenation generally need either harsh reaction conditions or complex catalyst preparation. Here we describe a mild and convenient protocol that only utilizes commercially available catalysts. Using [Rh(nbd)Cl]2 and Pd/C together as catalysts, arenes bearing various functional groups can be hydrogenated under 1 atm of H2 at room temperature. This arene hydrogenation can also be achieved using catalysts of [Rh(cod)Cl]2 and PtO2, thus avoiding glovebox manipulations and simplifying the reaction procedure.

Access to C(sp3) borylated and silylated cyclic molecules: hydrogenation of corresponding arenes and heteroarenes

This paper presents a simple and cost-effective hydrogenation method for synthesizing a myriad of cycloalkanes and saturated heterocycles bearing boryl or silyl substituents. The catalyst used are heterogeneous, readily available, bench stable, and recyclable. Also demonstrated is the application of the method to compounds that possess both boryl and silyl groups. When combined with Ir-catalyzed sp2 C-H borylation, such hydrogenations offer a two-step complementary alternative to direct sp3 C-H borylations that can suffer selectivity and reactivity issues. Of practical value to the community, complete stereochemical analyses of reported borylated compounds that were never fully characterized are reported herein.

Chemoselective Heterogeneous Hydrogenation of Sulfur Containing Quinolines under Mild Conditions

Sulfur, alongside oxygen and nitrogen, holds a prominent position as one of the key heteroatoms in nature and medicinal chemistry. Its significance stems from its ability to adopt different oxidation states, rendering it valuable as both a polarity handle and a hydrogen bond donor/acceptor. Nevertheless, the poisonous nature of its free electron pairs makes sulfur containing substrates inaccessible for many catalytic protocols. Strong and (at low temperatures) irreversible chemisorption to the catalyst's surface is in particular detrimental for heterogeneous catalysts, possessing only few catalytically active sites. Herein, we present a novel heterogeneous Ru-S catalyst that tolerates multiple sulfur functionalities, including thioethers, thiophenes, sulfoxides, sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoximines, in the hydrogenation of quinolines. The utility of the products was further demonstrated by subsequent diversifications of the sulfur functionalities.

Ligand-Free Ultrasmall Recyclable Iridium(0) Nanoparticles for Regioselective Aromatic Hydrogenation of Phosphine Oxide Scaffolds: An Easy Access to New Phosphine Ligands

Herein, we developed the recyclable ligand-free iridium (Ir)-hydride based Ir0 nanoparticles (NPs) for the first regioselective partial hydrogenation of PV -substituted naphthalenes. Both the isolated and in situ generated NPs are catalytically active. A control nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study revealed the presence of metal-surface-bound hydrides, most likely formed from Ir0 species. A control NMR study confirmed that hexafluoroisopropanol as a solvent was accountable for substrate activation via hydrogen bonding. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the catalyst supports the formation of ultrasmall NPs, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the dominance of Ir0 in the NPs. The catalytic activity of NPs is broad as showcased by highly regioselective aromatic ring reduction in various phosphine oxides or phosphonates. The study also showcased a novel pathway toward preparing bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl (H8 -BINAP) and its derivatives without losing enantioselectivity during catalytic events.

Base-Modulated 1,3-Regio- and Stereoselective Carboboration of Cyclohexenes

While chain-walking stimulates wide interest in both polymerization and organic synthesis, site- and stereoselective control of chain-walking on rings is still a challenging task in the realm of organometallic catalysis. Inspired by a controllable chain-walking on cyclohexane rings in olefin polymerization, we have developed a set of chain-walking carboborations of cyclohexenes based on nickel catalysis. Different from the 1,4-trans-selectivity disclosed in polymer science, a high level of 1,3-regio- and cis-stereoselectivity is obtained in our reactions. Mechanistically, we discovery that the base affects the reduction ability of B2 pin2 and different bases lead to different catalytic cycles and different regioselective products (1,2- Vs 1,3-addition). This study provides a concise and modular method for the synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted cyclohexylboron compounds. The incorporation of a readily modifiable boronate group greatly enhances the value of this method, the synthetic potential of which was highlighted by the synthesis of a series of high-valued commercial chemicals and pharmaceutically interesting molecules.

cis-Selective Hydrogenation of Aryl Germanes: A Direct Approach to Access Saturated Carbo- and Heterocyclic Germanes

A catalytic approach of synthesizing the cis-selective saturated carbo- and heterocyclic germanium compounds (3D framework) is reported via the hydrogenation of readily accessible aromatic germanes (2D framework). Among the numerous catalysts tested, Nishimura's catalyst (Rh2O3/PtO2·H2O) exhibited the best hydrogenation reactivity with an isolated yield of up to 96%. A broad range of substrates including the synthesis of unprecedented saturated heterocyclic germanes was explored. This selective hydrogenation strategy could tolerate several functional groups such as -CF3, -OR, -F, -Bpin, and -SiR3 groups. The synthesized products demonstrated the applications in coupling reactions including the newly developed strategy of aza-Giese-type addition reaction (C-N bond formation) from the saturated cyclic germane product. These versatile motifs can have a substantial value in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry as they show orthogonal reactivity in coupling reactions while competing with other coupling partners such as boranes or silanes, acquiring a three-dimensional structure with high stability and robustness.

Identification of Cyclohexadienyl Hydrides as Intermediates in Molybdenum-Catalyzed Arene Hydrogenation

Treatment of phosphino(imino)pyridine (PIP) molybdenum cyclooctadiene (COD) complexes [(PIP)Mo(COD)] with dihydrogen in the presence of benzene selectively furnished the molybdenum cyclohexadienyl hydrides [(PIP)MoH(η⁵ -C₆ H₇ )], which are precatalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane. [(PIP)MoH(η⁵ -C₆ H₇ )] arises from a rarely observed insertion of benzene into a molybdenum-hydride bond, a key step in the molybdenum-catalyzed homogeneous hydrogenation of arenes. The reaction with toluene afforded a single isomer of the corresponding molybdenum cyclohexadienyl hydride while para-xylene predominantly formed the molybdenum η⁶ -arene complex with the insertion product being a minor component. Addition of carbon monoxide to a cyclohexane-d₁₂ solution of [(PIP)MoH(η⁵ -C₆ H₇ )] liberated cyclohexadiene, providing experimental support for a higher kinetic barrier for the subsequent steps en route to cycloalkanes.

Access to Unexplored 3D Chemical Space: cis ‐Selective Arene Hydrogenation for the Synthesis of Saturated Cyclic Boronic Acids

A new class of saturated boron‐incorporated cyclic molecules has been synthesized employing an arene‐hydrogenation methodology. cis‐Selective hydrogenation of easily accessible, and biologically important molecules comprising benzoxaborole, benzoxaborinin, and benzoxaboripin derivatives is reported. Among the various catalysts tested, rhodium cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene [Rh‐CAAC] (1) pre‐catalyst revealed the best hydrogenation activity confirming turnover number up to 1400 with good to high diastereoselectivity. A broad range of functional groups was tolerated including sensitive substituents such as −F, −CF₃, and −silyl groups. The utility of the synthesized products was demonstrated by the recognition of diols and sugars under physiological conditions. These motifs can have a substantial importance in medicinal chemistry as they possess a three‐dimensional structure, are highly stable, soluble in water, form hydrogen bonds, and interact with diols and sugars.

Molybdenum-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Fused Arenes and Heteroarenes

The synthesis of enantioenriched molybdenum precatalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of substituted quinolines and naphthalenes is described. Three classes of pincer ligands with chiral substituents were evaluated as supporting ligands in the molybdenum-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions, where oxazoline imino(pyridine) chelates were identified as optimal. A series of 2,6-disubstituted quinolines was hydrogenated to enantioenriched decahydroquinolines with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. For quinoline derivatives, selective hydrogenation of both the carbocycle and heterocycle was observed depending on the ring substitution. Spectroscopic and mechanistic studies established molybdenum η⁶-arene complexes as the catalyst resting state and that partial hydrogenation arises from dissociation of the substrate from the coordination sphere of molybdenum prior to complete reduction. A stereochemical model is proposed based on the relative energies of the respective coordination of the prochiral faces of the arene determined by steric interactions between the substrate and the chiral ligand, rather than through precoordination by a heteroatom.

Asymmetric Full Saturation of Vinylarenes with Cooperative Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Rhodium Catalysis

Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyzed reactions can seldom operate synergistically under the same conditions. Here we communicate the use of a single rhodium precursor that acts in both the homogeneous and heterogeneous phases for the asymmetric full saturation of vinylarenes that, to date, constitute an unmet bottleneck in the field. A simple asymmetric hydrogenation of a styrenic olefin, enabled by a ligand accelerated effect, accounted for the facial selectivity in the consecutive arene hydrogenation. Tuning the ratio between the phosphine ligand and the rhodium precursor controlled the formation of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic species that operate without interference from each other. The system is flexible in terms of both the chiral ligand and the nature of the external olefin. We anticipate that our findings will promote the development of asymmetric arene hydrogenations.

1,2,4-Trifunctionalized Cyclohexane Synthesis via a Diastereoselective Reductive Cope Rearrangement and Functional Group Interconversion Strategy

Polyfunctionalized cyclohexanes are privileged scaffolds in drug discovery. Reported herein is a method for synthesizing 1,2,4-trifunctionalized cyclohexanes via diastereoselective reductive Cope rearrangement. The scaffolds obtained can be derivatized by orthogonal functional group interconversion to cyclohexanes bearing a 1-amide, 2-branched arylallyl, and variable 4-functional group.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective, Complete Hydrogenation of Benzofurans by Cascade Catalysis

We report an enantio- and diastereoselective, complete hydrogenation of multiply substituted benzofurans in a one-pot cascade catalysis. The developed protocol facilitates the controlled installation of up to six new defined stereocenters and produces architecturally complex octahydrobenzofurans, prevalent in many bioactive molecules. A unique match of a chiral homogeneous ruthenium-N-heterocyclic carbene complex and an in situ activated rhodium catalyst from a complex precursor act in sequence to enable the presented process.

Reducing Challenges in Organic Synthesis with Stereoselective Hydrogenation and Tandem Catalysis

Tandem catalysis enables the rapid construction of complex architectures from simple building blocks. This Perspective shares our interest in combining stereoselective hydrogenation with transformations such as isomerization, oxidation, and epimerization to solve diverse challenges. We highlight the use of tandem hydrogenation for preparing complex natural products from simple prochiral building blocks and present tandem catalysis involving transfer hydrogenation and dynamic kinetic resolution. Finally, we underline recent breakthroughs and opportunities for asymmetric hydrogenation.

α-Hydroxy boron-enabled regioselective access to bifunctional halo-boryl alicyclic ethers and α-halo borons

α-Hydroxy borons are an underutilized class of compounds and their only previous application involved oxidation into acylborons. Herein, we describe the synthesis of functionalized olefinic α-hydroxy borons and their utility to enable a novel and regioselective route to hitherto unknown bifunctional halo-boryl tetrahydrofurans/tetrahydropyrans and α-halo MIDA boronates. The orthogonally functionalized alicyclic ethers provided a building block-based approach for diversification of the tetrahydrofuran core.

Interrupted Pyridine Hydrogenation: Asymmetric Synthesis of δ-Lactams

Metal-catalyzed hydrogenation is an effective method to transform readily available arenes into saturated motifs, however, current hydrogenation strategies are limited to the formation of C-H and N-H bonds. The stepwise addition of hydrogen yields reactive unsaturated intermediates that are rapidly reduced. In contrast, the interruption of complete hydrogenation by further functionalization of unsaturated intermediates offers great potential for increasing chemical complexity in a single reaction step. Overcoming the tenet of full reduction in arene hydrogenation has been seldom demonstrated. In this work we report the synthesis of sought-after, enantioenriched δ-lactams from oxazolidinone-substituted pyridines and water by an interrupted hydrogenation mechanism.

Mild and Selective Rhodium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Functionalized Arenes

Diboron-mediated rhodium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of functionalized arenes is reported. In addition to good functional group tolerance, the reaction features operational simplicity and controllable chemoselectivity. The general applicability of this procedure is demonstrated by the selective hydrogenation of a range of arenes, including functionalized benzenes, biphenyls, and polyaromatics.

The solvent determines the product in the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using unligated RhCl3 as catalyst precursor

RhCl3-catalysed hydrogenation/hydrodeoxygenation of aromatic ketones produced alkylcyclohexanes in TFE and cyclohexyl alkyl alcohols in water at moderate temperatures. Rh-nanoparticles were found to be the true catalysts.

Diastereoselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of 2-Oxindoles and 3,4-Dihydroquinolones

The benzene ring of indolin-2-ones (2-oxindoles) and 3,4-dihydroquinol-2-ones was converted to a saturated cyclohexane ring by hydrogenation in the presence of the rhodium complex ^Cy(CAAC)Rh(cod)Cl. The stereoselectivity of the process was found to be high with respect to both external substituent R¹ within the saturated part of the heterocyclic ring and substituent X on the benzene ring. Twenty-one hexahydroindolin-2(3H)-ones (70-99% yield, dr = 83/17 to >99/1) and twelve octahydro-2(1H)-quinolinones (87-96% yield, dr = 64/36 to >99/1) were obtained with the major diastereoisomer exhibiting the hydrogen atoms in an all-cis arrangement. The high tolerance toward functional groups and the compatibility with existing stereogenic centers are key features of the hydrogenation protocol presented here.

Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Arenes and Heteroarenes

Transfer hydrogenation reactions are of great interest to reduce diverse molecules under mild reaction conditions. To date, this type of reaction has only been successfully applied to alkenes, alkynes and polarized unsaturated compounds such as ketones, imines, pyridines, etc. The reduction of benzene derivatives by transfer hydrogenation has never been described, which is likely due to the high energy barrier required to dearomatize these compounds. In this context, we have developed a catalytic transfer hydrogenation reaction for the reduction of benzene derivatives and heteroarenes to form complex 3-dimensional scaffolds bearing various functional groups at room temperature without needing compressed hydrogen gas.

Accessing (Multi)Fluorinated Piperidines Using Heterogeneous Hydrogenation

Fluorinated piperidines are desirable motifs for pharmaceutical and agrochemical research. Nevertheless, general synthetic access remains out of reach. Herein, we describe a simple and robust cis-selective hydrogenation of abundant and cheap fluoropyridines to yield a broad scope of (multi)fluorinated piperidines. This protocol enables the chemoselective reduction of fluoropyridines while tolerating other (hetero)aromatic systems using a commercially available heterogenous catalyst. Fluorinated derivatives of important drug compounds are prepared, and a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of enantioenriched fluorinated piperidines is disclosed.

trans-Selective and Switchable Arene Hydrogenation of Phenol Derivatives

A trans-selective arene hydrogenation of abundant phenol derivatives catalyzed by a commercially available heterogeneous palladium catalyst is reported. The described method tolerates a variety of functional groups and provides access to a broad scope of trans-configurated cyclohexanols as potential building blocks for life sciences and beyond in a one-step procedure. The transformation is strategically important because arene hydrogenation preferentially delivers the opposite cis-isomers. The diastereoselectivity of the phenol hydrogenation can be switched to the cis-isomers by employing rhodium-based catalysts. Moreover, a protocol for the chemoselective hydrogenation of phenols to cyclohexanones was developed.

Catalytic three-component C-C bond forming dearomatization of bromoarenes with malonates and diazo compounds

A Pd-catalyzed dearomative three-component C-C bond formation of bromoarenes with diazo compounds and malonates was developed. Various bromoarenes ranging from benzenoids to azines and heteroles were transformed to the corresponding substituted alicyclic molecules. The key to this reaction is the generation of a benzyl-palladium intermediate, which reacts with malonates to form a Pd-O-enolate species. Strikingly, the present method enabled rapid access to multi-substituted alicycles through subsequent elaboration of dearomatized products.

Shaping Molecular Landscapes: Recent Advances, Opportunities, and Challenges in Dearomatization

Dearomatization is a fundamental chemical transformation, and it underlies some of the most efficient tactics for generating three-dimensional complexity from basic two-dimensional precursors. The dearomative toolbox, once restricted to only a handful of reactions, has begun to grow more sophisticated as novel methods are added, introducing more functionality under milder conditions and with more control over chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity than ever before. Over the past two decades, major developments in dearomative processes have bolstered significant total-synthesis endeavors and greatly expanded the scope and complexity of chemical building blocks accessible from feedstock arenes. In this Perspective, we highlight some of the recent advances and key challenges that remain in this vibrant area of organic chemistry.

Mechanistic Understanding of the Heterogeneous, Rhodium-Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene-Catalyzed (Fluoro-)Arene Hydrogenation

Recently, chemoselective methods for the hydrogenation of fluorinated, silylated, and borylated arenes have been developed providing direct access to previously unattainable, valuable products. Herein, a comprehensive study on the employed rhodium-cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) catalyst precursor is disclosed. Mechanistic experiments, kinetic studies, and surface-spectroscopic methods revealed supported rhodium(0) nanoparticles (NP) as the active catalytic species. Further studies suggest that CAAC-derived modifiers play a key role in determining the chemoselectivity of the hydrogenation of fluorinated arenes, thus offering an avenue for further tuning of the catalytic properties.

Dearomative Allylation of Naphthyl Cyanohydrins by Palladium Catalysis: Catalyst-Enhanced Site Selectivity

A dearomative allylation of naphthyl cyanohydrins with allyl borates and allyl stannanes under palladium catalysis was developed. At the initial stage of this study, the dearomative reaction (C4 substitution of the aromatics) was competing with benzyl substitution. To circumvent this issue, the use of palladium and meta-disubstituted triarylphosphine as the catalyst in a 1:1 ratio was found to enhance the site selectivity, furnishing the desired dearomatized products. Further derivatizations of products were also successful.

Iron-Catalysed C(sp2)-H Borylation Enabled by Carboxylate Activation

Arene C(sp²)-H bond borylation reactions provide rapid and efficient routes to synthetically versatile boronic esters. While iridium catalysts are well established for this reaction, the discovery and development of methods using Earth-abundant alternatives is limited to just a few examples. Applying an in situ catalyst activation method using air-stable and easily handed reagents, the iron-catalysed C(sp²)-H borylation reactions of furans and thiophenes under blue light irradiation have been developed. Key reaction intermediates have been prepared and characterised, and suggest two mechanistic pathways are in action involving both C-H metallation and the formation of an iron boryl species.

Titanium-Mediated Catalytic Hydrogenation of Monocyclic and Polycyclic Arenes

Two electron-reduction of the Ti^IV guanidinate complex (Im^Dipp N)(^Xyket guan)TiCl₂ gives (η⁶ -Im^Dipp N)(^xyket guan)Ti (1^intra ) and (Im^Dipp N)(^Xyket guan)Ti(η⁶ -C₆ H₆ ) (1^inter ) (^Xyket guan=[(tBuC=N)C(NXylyl)₂ ]^- , Xylyl=2,5-dimethylphenyl) in the absence or presence of benzene, respectively. These complexes have been found to hydrogenate monocyclic and polycyclic arenes under relatively mild conditions (150 psi, 80 °C)-the first example of catalytic, homogeneous arene hydrogenation with TON >1 by a Group IV system.

Accessing Difluoromethylated and Trifluoromethylated cis-Cycloalkanes and Saturated Heterocycles: Preferential Hydrogen Addition to the Substitution Sites for Dearomatization

Reported here is a straightforward process in which a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene/Rh catalyst system facilitates the preferential addition of hydrogen to the substitution sites of difluoromethylated and trifluoromethylated arenes and heteroarenes, leading to dearomative reduction. This strategy enables the diastereoselective synthesis of cis-difluoromethylated and cis-trifluoromethylated cycloalkanes and saturated heterocycles, and even allows formation of all-cis multi-trifluoromethylated cyclic products with a defined equatorial orientation of the di- and trifluoromethyl groups. Deuterium-labeling studies indicate that hydrogen preferentially attacks the substitution sites of planar arenes, resulting in dearomatization, possibly with heterogeneous Rh as the reactive species, followed by either reversible or irreversible hydrogen addition to the nonsubstitution sites.

Hydrogenation of N-Heteroarenes Using Rhodium Precatalysts: Reductive Elimination Leads to Formation of Multimetallic Clusters

A rhodium-catalyzed method for the hydrogenation of N-heteroarenes is described. A diverse array of unsubstituted N-heteroarenes including pyridine, pyrrole, and pyrazine, traditionally challenging substrates for hydrogenation, were successfully hydrogenated using the organometallic precatalysts, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(N-C)H] (N-C = 2-phenylpyridinyl (ppy) or benzo[h]quinolinyl (bq)). In addition, the hydrogenation of polyaromatic N-heteroarenes exhibited uncommon chemoselectivity. Studies into catalyst activation revealed that photochemical or thermal activation of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(bq)H] induced C(sp²)-H reductive elimination and generated the bimetallic complex, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ₂,η²-bq)Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)H]. In the presence of H₂, both of the [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(N-C)H] precursors and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ₂,η²-bq)Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)H] converted to a pentametallic rhodium hydride cluster, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₄Rh₅H₇], the structure of which was established by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction. Kinetic studies on pyridine hydrogenation were conducted with each of the isolated rhodium complexes to identify catalytically relevant species. The data are most consistent with hydrogenation catalysis prompted by an unobserved multimetallic cluster with formation of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₄Rh₅H₇] serving as a deactivation pathway.

Unmasking the Ligand Effect in Manganese-Catalyzed Hydrogenation: Mechanistic Insight and Catalytic Application

Manganese-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions have attracted broad interest since the first report in 2016. Among the reported catalytic systems, Mn catalysts supported by tridentate PNP- and NNP-pincer ligands have most commonly been used. For example, a number of PNP-Mn pincer catalysts have been reported for the hydrogenation of aldehydes, aldimines, ketones, nitriles, and esters. Furthermore, various NNP-Mn pincer catalysts have been shown to be active in the hydrogenation of less-reactive substrates such as amides, carbonates, carbamates, and urea derivations. These observations indicated that Mn catalysts supported by NNP-pincer ligands exhibit higher reactivity in hydrogenation reactions than their PNP counterparts. Such a ligand effect in Mn-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions has yet to be confirmed. Herein, we investigated the origin and applicability of this ligand effect. A combination of experimental and theoretical investigations showed that NNP-pincer ligands on the Mn complexes were more electron-rich and less sterically hindered than their PNP counterparts, leading to higher reactivity in a series of Mn-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions. Inspired by the ligand effect on Mn-catalyzed hydrogenations, we developed the first Mn-catalyzed hydrogenation of N-heterocycles. Specifically, NNP-Mn pincer catalysts hydrogenated a series of N-heterocycles (32 examples) with up to 99% yields, and the corresponding PNP-Mn pincer catalysts afforded low reactivity under the same conditions. This verified that such a ligand effect is generally applicable in hydrogenation reactions of both carbonyl and noncarbonyl substrates based on Mn catalysis.

Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of α-Functionalized Acylborons and Borylated Heteroarenes by Nucleophilic Ring Opening of α-Chloroepoxyboronates

The ring-opening reactions of N-methyliminodiacetyl (MIDA) α-chloroepoxyboronates with different nucleophiles allow the modular synthesis of a diverse array of organoboronates. These include seven types of α-functionalized acylboronates and seven types of borylated heteroarenes, some of which are difficult-to-access products using alternative methods. The common synthons, α-chloroepoxyboronates, could be viably synthesized by a two-step procedure from the corresponding alkenyl MIDA boronates. Mild reaction conditions, good functional-group tolerance, and generally good efficiency were observed. The utility of the products was also demonstrated.

Selective Arene Hydrogenation for Direct Access to Saturated Carbo- and Heterocycles

Arene hydrogenation provides direct access to saturated carbo- and heterocycles and thus its strategic application may be used to shorten synthetic routes. This powerful transformation is widely applied in industry and is expected to facilitate major breakthroughs in the applied sciences. The ability to overcome aromaticity while controlling diastereo-, enantio-, and chemoselectivity is central to the use of hydrogenation in the preparation of complex molecules. In general, the hydrogenation of multisubstituted arenes yields predominantly the cis isomer. Enantiocontrol is imparted by chiral auxiliaries, Brønsted acids, or transition-metal catalysts. Recent studies have demonstrated that highly chemoselective transformations are possible. Such methods and the underlying strategies are reviewed herein, with an emphasis on synthetically useful examples that employ readily available catalysts.