Enantioselective synthesis of (E)-δ-silyl-anti-homoallylic alcohols via an enantiodivergent hydroboration-crotylboration reaction of a racemic allenylsilane

Synthesis of (1-silyl)allylboronates by KOtBu-catalyzed ring-opening gem-silylborylation of cyclopropenes

A KOtBu-catalyzed ring-opening gem-silylborylation of cyclopropenes with silylboronates has been developed for the synthesis of (1-silyl)allylboronates, a useful class of compounds in organic synthesis. The reaction proceeds with high selectivity under mild conditions, and the reaction mechanism has been theoretically investigated using DFT calculations.

3-Silyl-3-Borylhex-4-Enoate: A Chiral Reagent for Asymmetric Crotylboration of Aldehydes

A nonracemic 3-silyl-3-borylhex-4-enoate reagent has been developed. Its asymmetric crotylboration of aldehydes provides Z-anti-homoallylic alcohols possessing a trisubstituted vinylsilane in high yields with excellent stereo- and enantioselectivity. Diverse decoration of vinylsilane and ester groups, as well as formation of functionalized THF rings, showcase the potential of the approach in the synthesis of polyketide natural products.

Copper-Catalyzed Highly Selective Hydrosilylation of Silyl or Boryl Alkene: A Method for Preparing Chiral Geminated Disilyl and Borylsilyl Reagents

The copper-catalyzed highly selective hydrosilylation of silyl or boryl alkene has been developed. This chemistry could afford a practical method for preparing chiral geminated disilyl and borylsilyl reagents, which are useful organosilanes and versatile synthons for organic synthesis. The experimental data suggested that this reaction could be compatible with a variety of functional groups. Furthermore, the utility of the gem-dimetal compounds, which could be prepared by this chemistry, has been well illustrated by further transformations.

Development of α-Borylmethyl-(Z)-crotylboronate Reagent and Enantioselective Syntheses of (E)-δ-Hydroxymethyl-syn-homoallylic Alcohols via Highly Stereoselective Allylboration

We report herein the development of α-borylmethyl-(Z)-crotylboronate reagent and the application in highly stereo- and enantioselective syntheses of (E)-δ-hydroxymethyl-syn-homoallylic alcohols. Starting from 1,4-pentadiene, α-borylmethyl-(Z)-crotylboronate was synthesized in two steps with high Z-selectivity and enantioselectivity. Subsequent aldehyde allylboration with the developed boron reagent gave highly enantioenriched (E)-δ-hydroxymethyl-syn-homoallylic alcohols upon oxidative workup.

Stereochemical Control via Chirality Pairing: Stereodivergent Syntheses of Enantioenriched Homoallylic Alcohols

We report herein the development of stereodivergent syntheses of enantioenriched homoallylic alcohols using chiral nonracemic α-CH₂ Bpin-substituted crotylboronate. Chiral phosphoric acid (S)-A-catalyzed asymmetric allyl addition with the reagent gave Z-anti-homoallylic alcohols with excellent enantioselectivities and Z-selectivities. When the enantiomeric acid catalyst (R)-A was utilized, the stereoselectivity was completely reversed and E-anti-homoallylic alcohols were obtained with high E-selectivities and excellent enantioselectivities. By pairing the chirality of the boron reagent with the catalyst, two complementary stereoisomers of chiral homoallylic alcohols can be obtained selectively from the same boron reagent. DFT computational studies were conducted to probe the origins of the observed stereoselectivity. These reactions generate highly enantioenriched homoallylic alcohol products that are valuable for rapid construction of polyketide structural frameworks.

Catalytic Chemo- and Enantioselective Transformations of gem-Diborylalkanes and (Diborylmethyl)metallic Species

Chemo- and stereoselective transformations of polyborylalkanes are powerful and efficient methods to access optically active molecules with greater complexity and diversity through programmed synthetic design. Among the various polyborylalkanes, gem-diborylalkanes have attracted much attention in organic chemistry as versatile synthetic handles. The notable advantage of gem-diborylalkanes lies in their ability to generate two key intermediates, α-borylalkyl anions and (gem-diborylalkyl) anions. These two different intermediates can be applied to various enantioselective reactions to rapidly access a diverse set of enantioenriched organoboron compounds, which can be further manipulated to generate various chiral molecule libraries via stereospecific C(sp³)-B bond transformations.In this Account, we summarize our recent contributions to the development of catalytic chemo- and stereoselective reactions using gem-diborylalkanes as versatile nucleophiles, which can be categorized as follows: (1) copper-catalyzed enantioselective coupling of gem-diborylalkanes with electrophiles and (2) the design and synthesis of (diborylmethyl)metallic species and their applications to enantioselective reactions. Since Shibata and Endo reported the Pd-catalyzed chemoselective Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of gem-diborylalkanes with organohalides in 2014, Morken and Hall subsequently developed the first enantioselective analogous reactions using TADDOL-derived chiral phosphoramidite as the supporting ligand of a palladium catalyst. This discovery sparked interest in the catalytic enantioselective coupling of gem-diborylalkanes with electrophiles. Our initial studies focused on generating chiral (α-borylmethyl)copper species by enantiotopic-group-selective transmetalation of gem-diborylalkanes with chiral copper complexes and their reactions with various aldimines and ketimines to afford syn-β-aminoboronate esters with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity. Moreover, we developed the enantioselective allylation of gem-diborylalkanes that proceeded by reaction of in situ-generated chiral (α-borylalkyl)copper and allyl bromides. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the enantiotopic-group-selective transmetalation between gem-diborylalkanes and the chiral copper complex occurred through the open transition state rather than the closed transition state, thereby effectively generating chiral (α-borylmethyl)copper species. We also utilized (diborylmethyl)metallic species such as (diborylmethyl)silanes and (diborylmethyl)zinc halides in catalytic enantioselective reactions. We succeeded in developing the enantiotopic-group-selective cross-coupling of (diborylmethyl)silanes with aryl iodides to afford enantioenriched benzylic 1,1-silylboronate esters, which could be used for further consecutive stereospecific transformations to afford various enantioenriched molecules. In addition, we synthesized (diborylmethyl)zinc halides for the first time by the transmetalation of isolated (diborylmethyl)lithium and zinc(II) halides and their utilization to the synthesis of enantioenriched gem-diborylalkanes bearing a chiral center at the β-position via an iridium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitution process. In addition to our research efforts, we also include key contributions by other research groups. We hope that this Account will draw the attention of the synthetic community to gem-diboryl compounds and provide guiding principles for the future development of catalytic enantioselective reactions using gem-diboryl compounds.

α-Boryl Organometallic Reagents in Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis

Recent years have witnessed an increase in the popularity of α-boryl organometallic reagents as versatile nucleophiles in asymmetric synthesis. These compounds have been adopted in chemo- and stereoselective coupling reactions with a number of different electrophiles. The resulting enantioenriched boronic esters can be applied in stereospecific carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bond construction reactions, enabling a two-step strategy for the construction of complex structures with high efficiency and functional group compatibility. Due to these reasons, tremendous effort has been devoted to the preparation of enantiomerically enriched α-boryl organometallic reagents and to the development of stereoselective reactions of related racemic or prochiral materials. In this review, we describe the enantio- or diastereoselective reactions that involve α-boryl organometallic reagents as starting materials or products and we showcase their synthetic utility.

Development of α,α-Disubstituted Crotylboronate Reagents and Stereoselective Crotylation via Brønsted or Lewis Acid Catalysis

The development of α,α-disubstituted crotylboronate reagents is reported. Chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed asymmetric aldehyde addition with the developed E-crotylboron reagent gave (E)-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes with excellent enantioselectivities and E-selectivities. With BF₃·OEt₂ catalysis, the stereoselectivity is reversed, and (Z)-δ-boryl-anti-homoallylic alcohols are obtained with excellent Z-selectivities from the same E-crotylboron reagent. The Z-crotylboron reagent also participates in BF₃·OEt₂-catalyzed crotylation to furnish (Z)-δ-boryl-syn-homoallylic alcohols with good Z-selectivities. DFT computations establish the origins of observed enantio- and stereoselectivities of chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed asymmetric allylation. Stereochemical models for BF₃·OEt₂-catalyzed reactions are proposed to rationalize the Z-selective allyl additions. These reactions generate highly valuable homoallylic alcohol products with a stereodefined trisubstituted alkene unit. The synthetic utility is further demonstrated by the total syntheses of salinipyrones A and B.

Enantioselective Syntheses of (Z)-6'-Boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes via a Dienylboronate Protoboration and Asymmetric Allylation Reaction Sequence

The enantioselective synthesis of 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes is reported. A Cu-catalyzed highly stereoselective 1,4-protoboration of 1,1-bisboryl-1,3-butadiene is developed to generate (E)-α,δ-bisboryl-crotylboronate. The chiral phosphoric-acid-catalyzed asymmetric allylboration of aldehydes with the boron reagent produces 6'-boryl-anti-1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes with excellent Z-selectivities and enantioselectivities. The product contains a vinyl and alkyl boronate unit that can directly participate in a variety of subsequent transformations.

Chemoselective Cross-Coupling of gem-Borazirconocene Alkanes with Aryl Halides

The direct and chemoselective conversion of the carbon-metal bond of gem-dimetallic reagents enables rapid and sequential formation of multiple carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, thus representing a powerful method for efficiently increasing structural complexity. Herein, we report a visible-light-induced, nickel-catalyzed, chemoselective cross-coupling reaction between gem-borazirconocene alkanes and diverse aryl halides, affording a wide range of alkyl Bpin derivatives in high yields with excellent regioselectivity. This practical method features attractively simple reaction conditions and a broad substrate scope. Additionally, we systematically investigated a Bpin-directed chain walking process underlying the regioselectivity of alkylzirconocenes, thus uncovering the mechanism of the remote functionalization of internal olefins achieved with our method. Finally, DFT calculations indicate that the high regioselectivity of this reaction originates from the directing effect of the Bpin group.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of (E)-δ-Boryl-Substituted anti-Homoallylic Alcohols in Two Steps from Terminal Alkynes

We report the highly diastereo- and enantioselective preparation of (E)-δ-boryl-substituted anti-homoallylic alcohols in two steps from terminal alkynes. This method consists of a cobalt(II)-catalyzed 1,1-diboration reaction of terminal alkynes with B₂ pin₂ and a palladium(I)-mediated asymmetric allylation reaction of the resulting 1,1-di(boryl)alk-1-enes with aldehydes in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid. Propyne, which is produced as the byproduct during petroleum refining, could be used as the starting material to construct homoallylic alcohols that are otherwise difficult to synthesize with high stereocontrol.

(Z)-α-Boryl-crotylboron reagents via Z-selective alkene isomerization and application to stereoselective syntheses of (E)-δ-boryl-syn-homoallylic alcohols

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-α-boryl-crotylboronate is developed. Ni-catalyzed Z-selective alkene isomerization of α-boryl substituted homoallylboronate provided the targeted (Z)-crotylboronate with high selectivity. Stereoselective addition of the novel crotylboron reagent to aldehydes gave (E)-δ-boryl-substituted syn-homoallylic alcohols with excellent diastereoselectivities. The vinyl boronate unit in the products can be directly used for a subsequent C-C bond-forming transformation as illustrated in the synthesis of the C1-7 fragment of the natural products nannocystin A and nannocystin Ax.

Catalytic carboboration of dienylboronate for stereoselective synthesis of (E)-γ′,δ-bisboryl-anti-homoallylic alcohols

A Cu-catalyzed stereoselective carboboration of dienylboronate for the synthesis of (E)-γ′,δ-bisboryl-anti-homoallylic alcohols was developed.

Synthesis of γ-Boryl-Substituted Homoallylic Alcohols with anti Stereochemistry Based on a Double-Bond Transposition

The stereoselective synthesis of anti isomers of γ-boryl-substituted homoallylic alcohols is disclosed. (E)-1,2-Di(boryl)alk-1-enes undergo Ru-catalyzed double-bond transposition with control of the geometry. The in situ generated (E)-1,2-di(boryl)alk-2-enes add to aldehydes in a stereospecific manner. The alkenylboron group within the product is amenable to a variety of synthetic derivatizations.

Chiral crotyl geminal bis(silane): a useful reagent for asymmetric Sakurai allylation by selective desilylation-enabled chirality transfer

Enantioselective synthesis of SiMe₃/SiPh₂Me-substituted crotyl geminal bis(silane) has been developed. This compound is a useful reagent for Ph₃C⁺B(C₆F₅)₄^--catalyzed asymmetric Sakurai allylation and one-pot Sakurai allylation/Prins cyclization processes. Chemoselective desilylation of SiPh₂Me leads to efficient chirality transfer.

Enantioselective Synthesis of anti-1,2-Oxaborinan-3-enes from Aldehydes and 1,1-Di(boryl)alk-3-enes Using Ruthenium and Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalysts

A cationic ruthenium(II) complex catalyzes double-bond transposition of 1,1-di(boryl)alk-3-enes to generate in situ 1,1-di(boryl)alk-2-enes, which then undergo chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed allylation of aldehydes producing homoallylic alcohols with a (Z)-vinylboronate moiety. 1,2-Anti stereochemistry is installed in an enantioselective manner. The (Z)-geometry forged in the products allows their isolation in a form of 1,2-oxaborinan-3-enes, upon which further synthetic transformations are operated.

Enantioselective Synthesis of (E)-δ-Boryl-Substituted anti-Homoallylic Alcohols Using Palladium and a Chiral Phosphoric Acid

(E)-δ-Boryl-substituted anti-homoallylic alcohols are synthesized in a highly diastereo- and enantioselective manner from 1,1-di(boryl)alk-3-enes and aldehydes. Mechanistically, the reaction consists of 1) palladium-catalyzed double-bond transposition of the 1,1-di(boryl)alk-3-enes to 1,1-di(boryl)alk-2-enes, 2) chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed allylation of aldehydes, and 3) palladium-catalyzed geometrical isomerization from the Z to E isomer. As a result, the configurations of two chiral centers and one double bond are all controlled with high selectivity in a single reaction vessel.

Enantiodivergent Hydroboration Reactions of a Racemic Allenylsilane with Diisopinocampheylborane and Curtin-Hammett Controlled Double Asymmetric Crotylboration Reactions of (S)-E-α-phenyldimethylsilyl( d diisopinocampheyl)-crotylborane

The enantiodivergent hydroboration reactions of racemic allenylsilane (±)-4 with ( ^d Ipc)₂BH and subsequent crotylboration of achiral aldehydes with the product crotylborane (S)-E-5 at -78 °C provide (E)-δ-silyl-anti-homoallylic alcohols 6 in 71-89% yield and with 93-96% ee. Intriguingly, mismatched double asymmetric crotylboration reactions of enantioenriched chiral aldehydes 20 with (S)-E-5 proceed under Curtin-Hammett control to give anti-3-hydroxylcrotylsilanes 24 as the only products.

Enantioselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols via an allene hydroboration-double-allylboration reaction sequence

Kinetically controlled hydroboration of allenylboronate 5 followed by double allylboration with the resulting allylborane (Z)-7 gave (Z)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols 6 in good yield and high enantioselectivity in the presence of 10% BF3·OEt2 as the catalyst in the second allylboration step. Under thermodynamically controlled isomerization conditions, (Z)-7 can readily isomerize to (E)-7. Double allylboration of representative aldehydes with allylborane (E)-7 gave (E)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols 4 in good yield and high enantioselectivity without requiring use of the BF3·OEt2 catalyst. Thus, 2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols with either olefin geometry can be synthesized from the same allenylboronate precursor 5. Furthermore, 1,5-pentenediols 4 and 6 can be easily converted to 1,3,5-triols with excellent diastereoselectivity in one step.