Synthesis and reactivity of alkynyl boron compounds

Over the last century, there have been considerable developments in organoboron chemistry due to the stability, non-toxicity, and easy commercial availability of various boronic esters. Several organoboron reagents have emerged and play an increasingly important role in everyday organic synthesis. Among them, alkynyl boron compounds have attracted significant attention due to their easy synthesis and diverse reactivity. In this review, we summarize the advancement of research on alkynyl boron compounds, highlighting their importance in the synthesis of valuable compounds.

Cycloadditions of Alkenylboronic Derivatives

The literature on cycloaddition reactions of boron-containing alkenes is surveyed with 132 references. The data are categorized according to the reaction type ([2+1], [2+2], [3+2], [4+2], and [4+3] cycloadditions). The cyclopropanation and the Diels–Alder reactions of alkenylboronic derivatives have been studied more or less comprehensively, and for some substrates, they can be considered as convenient methods for the rapid regio- and stereoselective construction of even complex cyclic systems. Other types of the cycloadditions, as well as mechanistic aspects of the processes, have been addressed less thoroughly in the previous works.

1 Introduction

2 [2+1] Cycloaddition

2.1 Cyclopropanation

2.1.1 With Methylene Synthetic Equivalents

2.1.2 With Substituted Carbenoids

2.2 Epoxidation

2.3 Aziridination

3 [2+2] Cycloaddition

4 [3+2] Cycloaddition

4.1 With Nitrile Oxides

4.2 With Diazoalkanes

4.3 With Nitrones

4.4 With Azomethine Ylides

5 [4+2] Cycloaddition

6 [4+3] Cycloaddition

7 Conclusions and Outlook

Palladium-catalyzed chemoselective allylic substitution, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, and allene formation of bifunctional 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetate derivatives

A formidable challenge at the forefront of organic synthesis is the control of chemoselectivity to enable the selective formation of diverse structural motifs from a readily available substrate class. Presented herein is a detailed study of chemoselectivity with palladium-based phosphane catalysts and readily available 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetates, benzoates, and carbonates. Depending on the choice of reagents, catalysts, and reaction conditions, 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetates and derivatives can be steered into one of three reaction manifolds: allylic substitution, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, or elimination to form allenes, all with excellent chemoselectivity. Studies on the chemoselectivity of Pd catalysts in their reactivity with boron-bearing allylic acetate derivatives led to the development of diverse and practical reactions with potential utility in synthetic organic chemistry.

Breaking Conjugation: Unusual Regioselectivity with 2-Substituted Allylic Substrates in the Tsuji-Trost Reaction

η³-Allyl palladium complexes are key intermediates in Tsuji-Trost allylic substitution reactions. It is well known that (η³-1-aryl-3-alkyl substituted allyl)Pd intermediates result in nucleophilic attack at the alkyl substituted terminus. In contrast, the chemistry of (η³-1,2,3-trisubstituted allyl)Pd intermediates is relatively unexplored. Herein we probe the regioselectivity with 1,2,3-trisubstituted allylic substrates in Tsuji-Trost allylic substitution reactions. DFT investigation of cationic (η³-1-Ph-2-B(pin)-3-alkyl-allyl)Pd(PPh₃)₂ intermediates predict that nucleophilic attack should occur preferentially on anti-allyls rather than the syn-isomers to generate benzylic substitution products under Curtin-Hammett conditions. Experimentally, systematic studies with 1,2,3-trisubstituted allylic substrates revealed that a Linear Free Energy Relationship (LFER) is observed when Charton steric parameters of the C-2 substituents are plotted against the log of the ratio of regioisomers. Bulkier C-2 substituents in 1,2,3-trisubstituted η³-allyl palladium intermediates provide stronger preference for nucleophilic attack at anti-oriented benzylic termini. Additionally, the geometry of 1,4-elimination products supports the presence of anti-allyl palladium intermediates.