B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzofused-Siloles

Catalytic Access to Diastereometrically Pure Four- and Five-Membered Silyl-Heterocycles Using Transborylation

Silyl-heterocycles offer a unique handle to expand and explore chemical space, reactivity, and functionality. The shortage of catalytic methods for the preparation of diverse and functionalized silyl-heterocycles however limits widespread exploration and exploitation. Herein the borane-catalyzed intramolecular 1,1-carboboration of silyl-alkynes has been developed for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydrosilolyl and silylcyclobut-2-enyl boronic esters. Successful, catalytic carboboration has been achieved on a variety of functionally diverse silyl-alkynes, using a borane catalyst and transborylation-enabled turnover. Mechanistic studies, including 13C-labelling, computational studies, and single-turnover experiments, suggest a reaction pathway proceeding by 1,2-hydroboration, 1,1-carboboration, and transborylation to release the alkenyl boronic ester product and regenerate the borane catalyst.

Heterodifunctionalization of Electron-Rich Alkynes Catalyzed by in Situ Generated Silylium Ions

Silylium ions are versatile Lewis acids in organic synthesis. While they have been well-known for the activation of σ donors, catalysis initiated by the activation of π donors remains underdeveloped, particularly for alkynes. Herein, we demonstrate an example of silylium-catalyzed alkyne heterodifunctionalization. The silylium ion generated in situ from HNTf2 and the silyl reagent serve as superior catalysts in the efficient silylphosphination and silylcyanation of electron-rich alkynes with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The compatibility of this protocol with strongly coordinating ligands (Ph2P and CN) not only complements the metal-catalyzed systems but also expands the scope of silylium-catalyzed reactions.

Dehydrogenative Annulation of Silylated 1H-Indoles with Alkynes via Silyl Migration

We investigated the dehydrogenative annulation of silylated 1H-indole derivatives with alkynes to synthesize a silole-fused indole. The addition of the in situ generated silylium ion to alkynes was followed by the sila-Friedel-Crafts reaction via silyl migration, realizing regioselective dehydrogenative annulation controlled by the steric bulkiness of a base. The optical properties of the obtained siloloindoles indicated fluorescence of which the intensity depends on the location of the fused silole.

Catalysis with Diboron(4)/Pyridine: Application to the Broad-Scope [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Cyclopropanes and Alkenes

In contrast to the extensive but non-recyclable use of tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as stoichiometric reagents in diverse reactions, this article reports an atom-economical reaction using a commercial diboron(4) as the catalyst. The key to success was designing a catalytic cycle for radical [3 + 2] cycloaddition involving a pyridine cocatalyst to generate from the diboron(4) catalyst and reversibly mediate the transfer of boronyl radicals. In comparison with known [3 + 2] cycloaddition with transition metal-based catalysts, the current reaction features not only metal-free conditions, inexpensive and stable catalysts, and simple operation but also remarkably broadened substrate scope. In particular, previously unusable cyclopropyl ketones without an activating group and/or alkenes with 1,2-disubstitution and 1,1,2-trisubstitution patterns were successfully used for the first time. Consequently, challenging cyclopentane compounds with various levels of substitution (65 examples, 57 new products, up to six substituents at all five ring atoms) were readily prepared in generally high to excellent yield and diastereoselectivity. The reaction was also successfully applied in concise formal synthesis of an anti-obesity drug and building natural product-like complex bridged or spirocyclic compounds. Mechanistic experiments and computational investigation support the proposed radical relay catalysis featuring a pyridine-assisted boronyl radical catalyst. Overall, this work demonstrates the first approach to use tetraalkoxydiboron(4) compounds as catalysts and may lead to the development of new, green, and efficient transition metal-like boron-catalyzed organic reactions.

Activation of Si–H and B–H bonds by Lewis acidic transition metals and p-block elements: same, but different

In this Perspective we discuss the ability of transition metal complexes to activate and cleave the Si–H and B–H bonds of hydrosilanes and hydroboranes (tri- and tetra-coordinated) in an electrophilic manner, avoiding the need for the metal centre to undergo two-electron processes (oxidative addition/reductive elimination). A formal polarization of E–H bonds (E = Si, B) upon their coordination to the metal centre to form σ-EH complexes (with coordination modes η¹ or η²) favors this type of bond activation that can lead to reactivities involving the formation of transient silylium and borenium/boronium cations similar to those proposed in silylation and borylation processes catalysed by boron and aluminium Lewis acids. We compare the reactivity of transition metal complexes and boron/aluminium Lewis acids through a series of catalytic reactions in which pieces of evidence suggest mechanisms involving electrophilic reaction pathways.

In this Perspective we compare the ability of transition metals and p-block Lewis acids to activate electrophilically hydrosilanes and hydroboranes. The mechanistic similarities and dissimilarities in different catalytic transformations are analyzed.

Borane-catalyzed selective dihydrosilylation of terminal alkynes: reaction development and mechanistic insight

Here, we describe simple B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed mono- and dihydrosilylation reactions of terminal alkynes by using a silane-tuned chemoselectivity strategy, affording vinylsilanes and unsymmetrical geminal bis(silanes). This strategy is applicable to the dihydrosilylation of both aliphatic and aryl terminal alkynes with different silane combinations. Gram-scale synthesis and conducting the reaction without the exclusion of air and moisture demonstrate the practicality of this methodology. The synthetic utility of the resulting products was further highlighted by the structural diversification of geminal bis(silanes) through transforming the secondary silane into other silyl groups. Comprehensive theoretical calculations combined with kinetical isotope labeling studies have shown that a prominent kinetic differentiation between the hydrosilylation of alkynes and vinylsilane is responsible for the chemoselective construction of unsymmetrical 1,1-bis(silanes).

A B(C₆F₅)₃/silane-based system enables the chemoselective dihydrosilylation of terminal alkynes. Using a combination of different types of hydrosilanes, a series of unsymmetrical or symmetrical 1,1-bis(silanes) could be constructed.

Silylium Ions: From Elusive Reactive Intermediates to Potent Catalysts

The history of silyl cations has all the makings of a drama but with a happy ending. Being considered reactive intermediates impossible to isolate in the condensed phase for decades, their actual characterization in solution and later in solid state did only fuel the discussion about their existence and initially created a lot of controversy. This perception has completely changed today, and silyl cations and their donor-stabilized congeners are now widely accepted compounds with promising use in synthetic chemistry. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the fundamental facts and principles of the chemistry of silyl cations, including reliable ways of their preparation as well as their physical and chemical properties. The striking features of silyl cations are their enormous electrophilicity and as such reactivity as super Lewis acids as well as fluorophilicity. Known applications rely on silyl cations as reactants, stoichiometric reagents, and promoters where the reaction success is based on their steady regeneration over the course of the reaction. Silyl cations can even be discrete catalysts, thereby opening the next chapter of their way into the toolbox of synthetic methodology.

A Combined Computational and Experimental Study of Rh-Catalyzed C-H Silylation with Silacyclobutanes: Insights Leading to a More Efficient Catalyst System

The study of new C-H silylation reagents and reactions remains an important topic. We reported that under Rh catalysis, silacyclobutanes (SCBs) for the first time were able to react with C(sp²)-H and C(sp³)-H bonds, however the underlying reasons for such a new reactivity were not understood. Through this combined computational and experimental study on C-H silylation with SCBs, we not only depict a reaction pathway that fully accounts for the reactivity and all the experimental findings but also streamline a more efficient catalyst that significantly improves the reaction rates and yields. Our key findings include: (1) the active catalytic species is a [Rh]-H as opposed to the previously proposed [Rh]-Cl; (2) the [Rh]-H is generated via a reductive elimination/β-hydride (β-H) elimination sequence, as opposed to previously proposed endocyclic β-H elimination; (3) the regio- and enantio-determining steps are identified; (4) and of the same importance, the discretely synthesized [Rh]-H is shown to be a more efficient catalyst. This work suggests that the [Rh]-H/diphosphine system should find further applications in C-H silylations involving SCBs.

Electron-deficient boron-based catalysts for C-H bond functionalisation

In contrast to transition metal-catalysed C-H functionalisation, highly efficient construction of C-C and C-X (X = N, O, S, B, Si, etc.) bonds through metal-free catalytic C-H functionalisation remains one of the most challenging tasks for synthetic chemists. In recent years, electron-deficient boron-based catalyst systems have exhibited great potential for C-H bond transformations. Such emerging systems may greatly enrich the chemistry of C-H functionalisation and main-group element catalysis, and will also provide enormous opportunities in synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical biology. This article aims to give a timely comprehensive overview to recognise the current status of electron-deficient boron-based catalysis in C-H functionalisation and stimulate the development of more efficient catalytic systems.

Utilization of Borane-Catalyzed Hydrosilylation as a Dearomatizing Tool: Six-Membered Cyclic Amidine Synthesis from Isoquinolines and Pyridines

In this study, a convenient strategy to synthesize six-membered­ cyclic amidines from isoquinolines and pyridines has been developed. Borane-catalyzed hydrosilylation of each N-heteroarene was utilized as a dearomatizing tool. Substrate scope is broad with respect to both isoquinolines and pyridines, with various reaction pathways depending on the substitution pattern of the N-heteroarenes. The reaction mechanism and reactivity of each class of N-heteroarenes has been discussed. The resulting six-membered (Z)-sulfonyl amidine products are rarely reported and are mostly unprecedented. The scalability of this method and versatility of the cyclic amidine products are also presented.

Facile synthesis of tribenzosilepins from terphenyls and dihydrosilanes by electrophilic double silylation

Tribenzosilepins were synthesized from terphenyls and dihydrosilanes via a facile approach using a double sila-Friedel–Crafts reaction.

Synthesis of six-membered silacycles by borane-catalyzed double sila-Friedel-Crafts reaction

We have developed a catalytic synthetic method to prepare phenoxasilins. A borane-catalyzed double sila-Friedel–Crafts reaction between amino group-containing diaryl ethers and dihydrosilanes can be used to prepare a variety of phenoxasilin derivatives in good to excellent yields. The optimized reaction conditions were also applicable for diaryl thioethers to afford their corresponding six-membered silacyclic products. The gram-scale synthesis of a representative bis(dimethylamino)phenoxasilin and the transformation of its amino groups have also been demonstrated.

Advances in Synthesis of π-Extended Benzosilole Derivatives and Their Analogs

Benzosiloles and their π-extended derivatives are present in many important advanced materials due to their excellent physical properties. Especially, they have found many potential applications in the development of novel electronic materials such as OLEDs, semiconductors and solar cells. In this review, we have summarized several main approaches to construct (di)benzosilole derivatives and (benzo)siloles fused to aromatic five- and six-membered heterocycles.

Recent advances in transition metal-free catalytic hydroelementation (E = B, Si, Ge, and Sn) of alkynes

This review describes the recent advances in the transition metal-free hydroelementation of alkynes with various metalloid hydrides.

Dual reactivity of B(C6F5)3 enables the silylative cascade conversion of N-aryl piperidines to sila-N-heterocycles: DFT calculations

A theoretical study reveals that the dual reactivity of B(C₆F₅)₃ enables the unique silylative cascade conversion of N-aryl piperidines to bridged sila-N-heterocycles.

Preparation of Polyfunctional Biaryl Derivatives by Cyclolanthanation of 2-Bromobiaryls and Heterocyclic Analogues Using nBu2 LaCl⋅4 LiCl

Various aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted 2-bromobiaryls are converted to cyclometalated lanthanum intermediates by reaction with nBu2 LaCl⋅4 LiCl. These resulting lanthanum heterocycles are key intermediates for the facile preparation of functionalized 2,2'-diiodobiaryls, silafluorenes, fluoren-9-ones, phenanthrenes, and their related heterocyclic analogues. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to rationalize the proposed structures of the involved organolanthanum species.

A self-hydrosilylation of phosphanylhydrosilylalkynes promoted by B(C6F5)3? An experimental and mechanistic study

Phosphanylhydrosilylalkynes Me2HSiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPAr2 (Ar = Ph, 1a; 4-MeC6H4, 1b) were synthesized, which reacted with B(C6F5)3 to produce alkenes [(E)-(C6F5)3BCH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PAr2)SiMe2]2 (2a and 2b) and (Z)-(C6F5)2BCH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PAr2)SiMe2(C6F5) (3a and 3b). The formation of 2a (or 2b) involved a Wrackmeyer's SiHMe2 migration followed by Si-H addition across the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond, whereas, that of 3a (or 3b) involved a similar mechanism with a further C6F5 migration. The B(C6F5)3-promoted reaction of the Si-centered geminal H and C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C groups is thus realized, which may be considered as a self-hydrosilylation. Mechanistic studies by both variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations were accomplished.

Comparative DFT study of metal-free Lewis acid-catalyzed C–H and N–H silylation of (hetero)arenes: mechanistic studies and expansion of catalyst and substrate scope

Direct selective dehydrogenative silylation of thiophenes, pyridines, indoles and anilines to synthesize silyl-substituted aromatic compounds catalyzed by metal-free Lewis acids was achieved recently. However, there is still insufficient mechanistic data for these transformations. Using density functional theory calculations, we conducted a detailed investigation of the mechanism of the B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed dehydrogenative silylation of N-methylindole, N,N-dimethylaniline and N-methylaniline. We successfully located the most favourable reaction pathways that can explain the experimental observations notably well. The most favourable pathway for B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed C–H silylation of N-methylindole includes nucleophilic attack, proton abstraction and hydride migration. The C–H silylation of N,N-dimethylaniline follows a similar pathway to N-methylindole rather than that proposed by Hou's group. Our mechanism successfully explains that the transformations of N-methylindoline to N-methylindole produce different products at different temperatures. For N-methylaniline bearing both N–H and para-phenyl C–H bonds, the N–H silylation reaction is more facile than the C–H silylation reaction. Our proposed mechanism of N–H silylation of N-methylaniline is different from that proposed by the groups of Paradies and Stephan. Lewis acids Al(C₆F₅)₃, Ga(C₆F₅)₃ and B(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)(p-HC₆F₄)₂ can also catalyze the C–H silylation of N-methylindole like B(C₆F₅)₃, but the most favourable pathways are those promoted by N-methylindoline. Furthermore, we also found several other types of substrates that would undergo C–H or N–H silylation reactions under moderate conditions. These findings may facilitate the design of new catalysts for the dehydrogenative silylation of inactivated (hetero)arenes.

We investigated the mechanism of the dehydrosilylation of (hetero)arenes and extended the scope of the silylation catalysts and substrates.

Lewis acid-catalyzed synthesis of silafluorene derivatives from biphenyls and dihydrosilanes via a double sila-Friedel–Crafts reaction

The synthesis of silafluorene derivatives from aminobiphenyl compounds and dihydrosilanes via a double sila-Friedel–Crafts reaction using a borane catalyst has been achieved.

Catalytic Access to Bridged Sila- N-heterocycles from Piperidines via Cascade sp3 and sp2 C-Si Bond Formation

Described herein is the development of an unprecedented route to bridged sila- N-heterocycles via B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed cascade silylation of N-aryl piperidines with hydrosilanes. Mechanistic studies indicated that an outer-sphere ionic path is operative to involve three sequential catalytic steps having N-silyl piperidinium borohydride as a resting species: (i) dehydrogenation of the piperidine ring, (ii) β-selective hydrosilylation of a resultant enamine intermediate, and (iii) intramolecular dehydrogenative sp² C-H silylation.

Boron-Catalyzed O-H Bond Insertion of α-Aryl α-Diazoesters in Water

A catalytic, metal-free O-H bond insertion of α-diazoesters in water in the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃· nH₂O (2 mol %) was developed, affording a series of α-hydroxyesters in good to excellent yields. The reaction features easy operation and wide substrate scope, and importantly, no metal is needed as compared with the conventional methods. Significantly, this approach further expands the applications of B(C₆F₅)₃ under water-tolerant conditions.

The electrophilic aromatic substitution approach to C–H silylation and C–H borylation

Several approaches toward electrophilic C–H silylation of electron-rich arenes are discussed, comprising transition-metal-catalyzed processes as well as Lewis-acid- and Brønsted-acid-induced protocols. These methods differ in the catalytic generation of the silicon electrophile but share proton removal in form of dihydrogen. With slight modifications, these methods are often also applicable to the related electrophilic C–H borylation.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Site-Selective Intramolecular Silylation of Primary C-H Bonds for Synthesis of Sila-Heterocycles

Incorporating the silicon element into bioactive organic molecules has received increasing attention in medicinal chemistry. Moreover, organosilanes are valuable synthetic intermediates for fine chemicals and materials. Transition metal-catalyzed C-H silylation has become an important strategy for C-Si bond formations. However, despite the great advances in aromatic C(sp²)-H bond silylations, catalytic methods for aliphatic C(sp³)-H bond silylations are relatively rare. Here we report a pincer ruthenium catalyst for intramolecular silylations of various primary C(sp³)-H bonds adjacent to heteroatoms (O, N, Si, Ge), including the first intramolecular silylations of C-H bonds α to O, N, and Ge. This method provides a general, synthetically efficient approach to novel classes of Si-containing five-membered [1,3]-sila-heterocycles, including oxasilolanes, azasilolanes, disila-heterocycles, and germasilolane. The trend in the reactivity of five classes of C(sp³)-H bonds toward the Ru-catalyzed silylation is elucidated. Mechanistic studies indicate that the rate-determining step is the C-H bond cleavage involving a ruthenium silyl complex as the key intermediate, while a η²-silene ruthenium hydride species is determined to be an off-cycle intermediate.

Transition metal-catalyzed site- and regio-divergent C–H bond functionalization

The regioselectivity of C–H functionalization reactions can be redirected to obtain regioisomeric products form the same starting materials.

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution with Silicon Electrophiles: Catalytic Friedel-Crafts C-H Silylation

Electrophilic aromatic substitution is a fundamental reaction in synthetic chemistry. It converts C-H bonds of sufficiently nucleophilic arenes into C-X and C-C bonds using either stoichiometrically added or catalytically generated electrophiles. These reactions proceed through Wheland complexes, cationic intermediates that rearomatize by proton release. Hence, these high-energy intermediates are nothing but protonated arenes and as such strong Brønsted acids. The formation of protons is an issue in those rare cases where the electrophilic aromatic substitution is reversible. This situation arises in the electrophilic silylation of C-H bonds as the energy of the intermediate Wheland complex is lowered by the β-silicon effect. As a consequence, protonation of the silylated arene is facile, and the reverse reaction usually occurs to afford the desilylated arene. Several new approaches to overcome this inherent challenge of C-H silylation by S_E Ar were recently disclosed, and this Minireview summarizes this progress.

Synthesis and Properties of Sila[n]helicenes via Dehydrogenative Silylation of C-H Bonds under Rhodium Catalysis

Use of a rhodium catalyst with (R)-(S)-BPPFA ligand allows efficient synthesis of sila[n]helicenes via dehydrogenative silylation of C-H bonds. By selecting the proper ligands, the current method provides the ability to prepare unsymmetrical sila[n]helicene derivatives without any oxidants. The resulting sila[6]helicene is a rare example of a five-membered ring-fused [6]helicene, which was isolated as a single pure enantiomer without substituents on the terminal benzene rings.

Intramolecular Chain Hydrosilylation of Alkynylphenylsilanes Using a Silyl Cation as a Chain Carrier

Diorganyl[2-(trimethylsilylethynyl)phenyl]silanes 1a-c and methyl-substituted phenylsilanes 1d and 1e were treated with a small amount of trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (TPFPB) as an initiator in benzene to afford the corresponding benzosiloles (2a-e) in moderate to good yields. However, no reaction was observed for the reaction using [2-(1-hexynyl)phenyl]diisopropylsilane lf. The methyl substituent was tolerated under the reaction conditions and increased the yield of the corresponding benzosilole depending on the substitution position. From the result using 1f, the current reaction was found to require the trimethylsilyl group, which can stabilize intermediary alkenyl carbocations by the β-silyl effect. The current reaction can be considered an intramolecular chain hydrosilylation of alkynylarylsilanes involving silyl cations as chain carriers. Therefore, the silyl cations generated by hydride abstraction from hydrosilanes 1 with the trityl cation causes intramolecular electrophilic addition to the C-C triple bond to form ethenyl cations, which abstract a hydride from 1 to afford benzosiloles 2 with the regeneration of the silyl cations.

Brønsted Acid-Promoted Formation of Stabilized Silylium Ions for Catalytic Friedel-Crafts C-H Silylation

A counterintuitive approach to electrophilic aromatic substitution with silicon electrophiles is disclosed. A strong Brønsted acid that would usually promote the reverse reaction, i.e., protodesilylation, was found to initiate the C-H silylation of electron-rich (hetero)arenes with hydrosilanes. Protonation of the hydrosilane followed by liberation of dihydrogen is key to success, fulfilling two purposes: to generate the stabilized silylium ion and to remove the proton released from the Wheland intermediate.