Catalytic enantioselective diboration of cyclic dienes. A modified ligand with general utility

Synthetic techniques for thermodynamically disfavoured substituted six-membered rings

Six-membered rings are ubiquitous structural motifs in bioactive compounds and multifunctional materials. Notably, their thermodynamically disfavoured isomers, like disubstituted cyclohexanes featuring one substituent in an equatorial position and the other in an axial position, often exhibit enhanced physical and biological activities in comparison with their opposite isomers. However, the synthesis of thermodynamically disfavoured isomers is, by its nature, challenging, with only a limited number of possible approaches. In this Review, we summarize and compare synthetic methodologies that produce substituted six-membered rings with thermodynamically disfavoured substitution patterns. We place particular emphasis on elucidating the crucial stereoinduction factors within each transformation. Our aim is to stimulate interest in the synthesis of these unique structures, while simultaneously providing synthetic chemists with a guide to approaching this synthetic challenge.

Enantio- and Regioselective Cascade Hydroboration of Methylenecyclopropanes for Facile Access to Chiral 1,3- and 1,4-Bis(boronates)

Chiral 1, n-bis(boronate) plays a crucial role in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. However, their catalytic and asymmetric synthesis has long posed a challenge in terms of operability and accessibility from readily available substrates. The recent discovery of the C═C bond formation through β-C elimination of methylenecyclopropanes (MCP) has provided an exciting opportunity to enhance molecular complexity. In this study, the catalyzed asymmetric cascade hydroboration of MCP is developed. By employing different ligands, various homoallylic boronate intermediate are obtained through the hydroboration ring opening process. Subsequently, the cascade hydroboration with HBpin or B2pin2 resulted in the synthesis of enantioenriched chiral 1,3- and 1,4-bis(boronates) in high yields, accompanied by excellent chemo- and enantioselectivities. The selective transformation of these two distinct C─B bonds also demonstrated their application potential in organic synthesis.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Diboration of Arylidenecyclopropanes to Access Chiral Skipped 1,4- and 1,3-Diboronates

Two enantioselective approaches to synthesize chiral skipped diboronate compounds have been developed, relying on copper-catalyzed one-pot asymmetric ring-opening diboration of arylidenecyclopropanes. A wide range of arylidenecyclopropanes react smoothly with HBpin in the presence of CuOAc and (R)-DTBM-Segphos, affording chiral 1,4-diboronates with high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). Meanwhile, a variety of arylidenecyclopropanes react selectively with HBpin and B2pin2 in the presence of CuOAc and (S,S)-Ph-BPE with the sequential addition of MeOH, providing chiral 1,3-diboronates with high enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee). These enantioenriched 1,3- and 1,4-diboronates can undergo various enantiospecific transformations with minimal loss of their enantiopurity. Mechanistic studies reveal that these two diboration processes start with CuH-catalyzed ring-opening hydroboration of arylidenecyclopropanes to form a mixture of Z/E-homoallyl boronate intermediates, which subsequently undergo enantioselective CuH-catalyzed second hydroboration or Cu-Bpin-catalyzed protoboration to produce chiral 1,4-diboronates or 1,3-diboronates, respectively.

NHC-Ni catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dienes by cross-hydroalkenylation of cyclic 1,3-dienes and heterosubstituted terminal olefins

Enantioenriched 1,4-dienes are versatile building blocks in asymmetric synthesis, therefore their efficient synthesis directly from chemical feedstock is highly sought after. Here, we show an enantioselective cross-hydroalkenylation of cyclic 1,3-diene and hetero-substituted terminal olefin by using a chiral [NHC-Ni(allyl)]BArF catalyst. Using a structurally flexible chiral C2 NHC-Ni design is key to access a broad scope of chiral 1,4-diene 3 or 3' with high enantioselectivity. This study also offers insights on how to regulate chiral C2 NHC-Ni(II) 1,3-allylic shift on cyclic diene 1 and to build sterically more hindered endocyclic chiral allylic structures on demand.

Asymmetric synthesis of allylic compounds via hydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes

This review article provides an overview of progress in asymmetric synthesis of allylic compounds via hydrofunctionalisation and difunctionalisation of dienes, allenes, and alkynes.

Diboron(4) Compounds: From Structural Curiosity to Synthetic Workhorse

Although known for over 90 years, only in the past two decades has the chemistry of diboron(4) compounds been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal-catalyzed and metal-free methodologies for the formation of B-C bonds and other processes.

Enantiomerically enriched tris(boronates): readily accessible conjunctive reagents for asymmetric synthesis

The catalytic enantioselective diboration of vinyl boronate esters furnishes chiral tris(boronates) in a selective fashion. Subsequent deborylative alkylation occurs in a diastereoselective fashion, both for intermolecular and intramolecular processes.

Asymmetric diboration of terminal alkenes with a rhodium catalyst and subsequent oxidation: enantioselective synthesis of optically active 1,2-diols

Pin it down: A highly enantioselective diboration of terminal alkenes with chiral 1 and bis(pinacolato)diboron (B2 pin2 ) was realized. Subsequent oxidation of the diboron adducts with sodium peroxoborate readily gave the corresponding optically active 1,2-diols in high yields and high enantioselectivities.

Scope and mechanism of the Pt-catalyzed enantioselective diboration of monosubstituted alkenes

The Pt-catalyzed enantioselective diboration of terminal alkenes can be accomplished in an enantioselective fashion in the presence of chiral phosphonite ligands. Optimal procedures and the substrate scope of this transformation are fully investigated. Reaction progress kinetic analysis and kinetic isotope effects suggest that the stereodefining step in the catalytic cycle is olefin migratory insertion into a Pt-B bond. Density functional theory analysis, combined with other experimental data, suggests that the insertion reaction positions platinum at the internal carbon of the substrate. A stereochemical model for this reaction is advanced that is in line both with these features and with the crystal structure of a Pt-ligand complex.

Catalytic enantioselective one-pot aminoborylation of aldehydes: a strategy for construction of nonracemic α-amino boronates

We report a strategy for the conversion of aldehydes to enantiomerically enriched α-amino boronates through the intermediacy of in situ-generated silylimines. This transformation is brought about by Pt-catalyzed asymmetric addition of B2(pin)2 across the imine double bond. An attractive feature of the intermediate diboration adduct is that it can be acylated directly and provides convenient access to important N-acyl α-amino boronic ester derivatives.

A catalytic enantioselective tandem allylation strategy for rapid terpene construction: application to the synthesis of pumilaside aglycon

Catalytic enantioselective 1,2-diboration of 1,3-dienes followed by cascade allylborations with dicarbonyls provides rapid entry into carbocyclic reaction products. The stereochemical course of this reaction was studied along with its application in the synthesis of pumilaside aglycon.

γ-Selective directed catalytic asymmetric hydroboration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes

Directed catalytic asymmetric hydroborations of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes afford γ-dioxaborato amides and esters in high enantiomeric purity (90-95% ee).

Direct, redox-neutral prenylation and geranylation of secondary carbinol C-H bonds: C4-regioselectivity in ruthenium-catalyzed C-C couplings of dienes to α-hydroxy esters

The ruthenium catalyst generated in situ from Ru(3)(CO)(12) and tricyclohexylphosphine, PCy(3), promotes the redox-neutral C-C coupling of aryl-substituted α-hydroxy esters to isoprene and myrcene at the diene C4-position, resulting in direct carbinol C-H prenylation and geranylation, respectively. This process enables direct conversion of secondary to tertiary alcohols in the absence of stoichiometric byproducts or premetalated reagents, and is the first example of C4-regioselectivity in catalytic C-C couplings of 2-substituted dienes to carbonyl partners. Mechanistic studies corroborate a catalytic cycle involving diene-carbonyl oxidative coupling.