A mild carbon-boron bond formation from diaryliodonium salts

Auxiliary strategy for the general and practical synthesis of diaryliodonium(III) salts with diverse organocarboxylate counterions

Diaryliodonium(III) salts are versatile reagents that exhibit a range of reactions, both in the presence and absence of metal catalysts. In this study, we developed efficient synthetic methods for the preparation of aryl(TMP)iodonium(III) carboxylates, by reaction of (diacetoxyiodo)arenes or iodosoarenes with 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene in the presence of a diverse range of organocarboxylic acids. These reactions were conducted under mild conditions using the trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) group as an auxiliary, without the need for additives, excess reagents, or counterion exchange in further steps. These protocols are compatible with a wide range of substituents on (hetero)aryl iodine(III) compounds, including electron-rich, electron-poor, sterically congested, and acid-labile groups, as well as a broad range of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids for the synthesis of diverse aryl(TMP)iodonium(III) carboxylates in high yields. This method allows for the hybridization of complex bioactive and fluorescent-labeled carboxylic acids with diaryliodonium(III) salts.

Metal-Free Selective Ortho-C-H Amidation of Hypervalent(III) Iodobezenes with N-Methoxy Amides under Mild Conditions

A metal-free selective ortho-C-H amidation of aryl iodines(III) with the use of N-methoxy amides as aminating reagents under mild conditions is described here. In the protocol, excellent chemoselectivity and high regioselectivity were obtained. Notably, the iodine substituent rendered the amidation product suitable to be used for further elaboration.

Mechanistic Insights into the Metal-Free Deoxygenative Borylation of Ketones and Aldehydes with Bis(catecholato)diborane

The mechanisms of direct deoxygenative borylation of acetone and benzaldehyde with bis(catecholato)diborane (B₂ cat₂ ) in the solvent N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) are investigated through detailed density functional theory calculations. These calculations show that the isomer 1,2-B₂ cat₂ in situ generated from 1,1-B₂ cat₂ induced by DMA is the reactive boron intermediate for the reactions. The addition of the B-B bond of 1,2-B₂ cat₂ to the C=O bond of acetone or benzaldehyde via a concerted [2σ+2π]-cycloaddition-like transition state is the rate-limiting step for both the triboration reaction of acetone and the monoboration reaction of benzaldehyde. DMA not only acts as the solvent but also promotes the structural isomerization of B₂ cat₂ , the deoxygenation of acetone to form the vinyl boronate intermediate and subsequent diboration of vinyl boronate with 1,2-B₂ cat₂ , as well as the protodeboronation of the gem-diboronate intermediate in the deoxygenative borylation of benzaldehyde. The presented computational results can explain the observed experimental facts and provide insight into the roles of the isomeric 1,2-B₂ cat₂ and the solvent DMA in related reactions.

Highly Effective Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry Nicotinonitrile Derivatives

In this study, we developed two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, ICzCN and ICzCYP, to apply to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). These emitters involve indolocarbazole (ICz) donor units and nicotinonitrile acceptor units with a twisted donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structure for small singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) state energy gap (ΔEST) to enable efficient exciton transfer from the T1 to the S1 state. Depending on the position of the cyano-substituent, ICzCN has a symmetric structure by introducing donor units at the 3,5-position of isonicotinonitrile, and ICzCYP has an asymmetric structure by introducing donor units at the 2,6-position of nicotinonitrile. These emitters have different properties, such as the maximum luminance (Lmax) value. The Lmax of ICzCN reached over 10000 cd m-2. The external quantum efficiency (ηext) was 14.8% for ICzCN and 14.9% for ICzCYP, and both achieved a low turn-on voltage (Von) of less than 3.4 eV.

Base-promoted synthesis of diarylsulfones from sulfonyl hydrazines and diaryliodonium salts

An efficient and concise method for the synthesis of diverse substituted sulfones was developed with high selectivity. Using n-PrOH as the solvent, diaryl sulfones are formed even on a gram scale via metal-free coupling from sulfonyl hydrazines with symmetrical or unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts.

Tandem cyclization/arylation of diaryliodoniums via in situ constructed benzoxazole as a directing group for atom-economical transformation

Linear diaryliodoniums often undergo only single arylation and leave equivalent aryl iodide as waste.

Alkoxide activation of tetra-alkoxy diboron reagents in C-B bond formation: a decade of unpredictable reactivity

Any attempt to facilitate a new generation of C-B bonds represents a useful tool in organic synthesis. In addition, if that approach highlights the nucleophilic character of boryl moieties in the absence of transition metal complexes, the challenge to create new reactive platforms becomes an opportunity. We have been deeply involved in the experimental and theoretical validation of C-B bond formation by means of alkoxide activation of tetra-alkoxy diboron reagents and here is presented a convenient guide to understand the concept and the applications.

Bifunctional reagents in organic synthesis

Developments in synthetic chemistry are increasingly driven by improvements in the selectivity and sustainability of transformations. Bifunctional reagents, either as dual coupling partners or as a coupling partner in combination with an activating species, offer an atom-economic approach to chemical complexity, while suppressing the formation of waste. These reagents are employed in organic synthesis thanks to their ability to form complex organic architectures and empower novel reaction pathways. This Review describes several key bifunctional reagents by showcasing selected cornerstone research areas and examples, including radical reactions, C-H functionalization, cross-coupling, organocatalysis and cyclization reactions.

Silyloxymethanesulfinate as a sulfoxylate equivalent for the modular synthesis of sulfones and sulfonyl derivatives

An efficient protocol for the modular synthesis of sulfones and sulfonyl derivatives has been developed utilizing sodium tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethanesulfinate (TBSOMS-Na) as a sulfoxylate (SO2 2-) equivalent. TBSOMS-Na, easily prepared from the commercial reagents Rongalite™ and TBSCl, serves as a potent nucleophile in S-alkylation and Cu-catalyzed S-arylation reactions with alkyl and aryl electrophiles. The sulfone products thus obtained can undergo the second bond formation at the sulfur center with various electrophiles without a separate unmasking step to afford sulfones and sulfonyl derivatives such as sulfonamides and sulfonyl fluorides.

Visible-Light-Induced Ni-Catalyzed Radical Borylation of Chloroarenes

A highly selective and general photoinduced C-Cl borylation protocol that employs [Ni(IMes)₂] (IMes = 1,3-dimesitylimidazoline-2-ylidene) for the radical borylation of chloroarenes is reported. This photoinduced system operates with visible light (400 nm) and achieves borylation of a wide range of chloroarenes with B₂pin₂ at room temperature in excellent yields and with high selectivity, thereby demonstrating its broad utility and functional group tolerance. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the borylation reactions proceed via a radical process. EPR studies demonstrate that [Ni(IMes)₂] undergoes very fast chlorine atom abstraction from aryl chlorides to give [Ni^I(IMes)₂Cl] and aryl radicals. Control experiments indicate that light promotes the reaction of [Ni^I(IMes)₂Cl] with aryl chlorides generating additional aryl radicals and [Ni^II(IMes)₂Cl₂]. The aryl radicals react with an anionic sp²-sp³ diborane [B₂pin₂(OMe)]^- formed from B₂pin₂ and KOMe to yield the corresponding borylation product and the [Bpin(OMe)]^•- radical anion, which reduces [Ni^II(IMes)₂Cl₂] under irradiation to regenerate [Ni^I(IMes)₂Cl] and [Ni(IMes)₂] for the next catalytic cycle.

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyliodonium salts and diboron reagents to generate alkenyl boronic esters

An efficient approach for the synthesis of alkenyl boronic esters through the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyliodonium salts and diboron reagents is reported. This method is distinguished by its mild conditions and short reaction time of less than 30 min, which should provide an additional way for the construction of alkenyl boronic esters.

Domino N-/C- or N-/N-/C-arylation of imidazoles to yield polyaryl imidazolium salts via atom-economical use of diaryliodonium salts

Herein, we disclose a Cu-mediated domino di-/triarylation reaction of imidazoles to efficiently access polyaryl imidazolium salts in a single step by using two aryls as well as an anion of a diaryliodonium salt. The diarylation shows high atom economy and excellent selectivity with unsymmetrical iodonium salts.

Synthesis of Uracil-Iodonium(III) Salts for Practical Utilization as Nucleobase Synthetic Modules

Iodonium(III) salts bearing uracil moieties have recently appeared in the literature, but their structural scope and utilization are limited because of their hygroscopic characteristics. In this study, we describe our detailed investigations for synthesizing a series of uracil iodonium(III) salts derived with various structural motifs and counterions. These new compounds have been utilized as attractive synthetic modules in constructing functionalized nucleobase and nucleosides.

Recent Synthesis Developments of Organoboron Compounds via Metal-Free Catalytic Borylation of Alkynes and Alkenes

Diboron reagents have been traditionally regarded as "Lewis acids", which can react with simple Lewis base to create a significant nucleophilic character in one of boryl moieties. In particular, bis(pinacolato)diboron (B₂pin₂) reacts with simple Lewis bases, such as N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), phosphines and alkoxides. This review focuses on the application of trivalent nucleophilic boryl synthon in the selective preparation of organoboron compounds, mainly through metal-free catalytic diboration and the β-boration reactions of alkynes and alkenes.

Atom-economical group-transfer reactions with hypervalent iodine compounds

Hypervalent iodine compounds, in particular aryl-λ³-iodanes, have been used extensively as electrophilic group-transfer reagents. Even though these compounds are superior substrates in terms of reactivity and stability, their utilization is accompanied by stoichiometric amounts of an aryl iodide as waste. This highly nonpolar side product can be tedious to separate from the desired target molecules and significantly reduces the overall atom efficiency of these transformations. In this short review, we want to give a brief summary of recently developed methods, in which this arising former waste is used as an additional reagent in cascade transformations to generate multiple substituted products in one step and with high atom efficiency.

Unsymmetrical diborane(4) derivatives by copper mediated B-B coupling

A novel, versatile and modular route to unsymmetrical diborane(4) derivatives bearing either two different diol moieties or one diol and one diamine moiety is presented. Utilising the very basic approach of reacting a boron nucleophile with a boron electrophile to establish the B-B bond allows a simple variation of the two individual boron moieties. The copper(i) boryl complexes used as nucleophilic boron sources are readily accessible from commercially available symmetrical diborane(4) derivatives, whilst equally readily available boron halide derivatives are used as electrophiles. Seven previously inaccessible diborane(4) derivatives were obtained and fully characterised, including single crystal X-ray structure determinations, illustrating the broad scope of the method.

Transition-metal-free B-B and B-interelement reactions with organic molecules

This review is a guided tour along the activation modes and reactivity of B-B, B-Si, B-N, B-S, B-Se and B-P reagents, in the absence of any transition metal complex. Here are disclosed the general concepts related to the homolytic and heterolytic cleavage of B-B and B-interelement bonds, as well as the generation of new C-B and C-interelement bonds, in a selective way. The greener consequences of these novel routes facilitate the gram scale preparations of target functionalised organic compounds. Intrinsic data about the suggested mechanisms and spectroscopic evidence that supports the innovative theories are provided along the review. Since this is a stimulating area of work that has emerged within the last decade, this overview serves as the basis to understand the new trends and hopefully to generate inspiration for future discoveries in the field.

Visible-light-induced multicomponent cascade cycloaddition involving N-propargyl aromatic amines, diaryliodonium salts and sulfur dioxide: rapid access to 3-arylsulfonylquinolines

A visible-light-induced, Eosin Y catalyzed three-component synthesis of 3-arylsulfonylquinoline derivatives through N-propargyl aromatic amines, diaryliodonium salts and sulfur dioxide has been discovered. This transformation represents an efficient and attractive method for the straightforward synthesis of 3-arylsulfonylquinoline derivatives via the formation of C-S bonds and quinolines in one step. In addition, it exhibits good substrate scope and functional group tolerance. The use of easy-to-handle diaryliodonium salts, sulfur dioxide sources and the cheap photocatalyst Eosin Y together with facile operation at room temperature makes this protocol very practical.

Reactivity of highly Lewis acidic diborane(4) towards pyridine and isocyanide: formation of boraalkene-pyridine complex and ortho-functionalized pyridine derivatives

The reaction of pinB-BMes2 (pin = pinacolato, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) with Xyl-NC (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) and pyridine results in the formation of a pyridine-coordinated boraalkene that exhibits an intense color caused by an intramolecular charge-transfer interaction. In the presence of an excess of pyridine, the ortho C-H bond of pyridine was selectively functionalized to afford a quinoid compound or an isocyanide-coupled product. Based on the concentration effect, the reaction stoichiometry, and previously reported DFT calculations, a reaction mechanism that involves several rearrangement reactions was proposed. Using the present method, substituted pyridines and N-heterocycles afforded the corresponding functionalized derivatives. A subsequent hydrolysis of one of the resulting products furnished an aminomethylated pyridine derivative in two steps from parent pyridine.

A nano-catalytic approach for C–B bond formation reactions

Nanoparticle-catalysed borylation is one of the most convenient methods for the synthesis of organoboranes to overcome the confines of homogeneous catalysis such as recyclability and heavy metal contamination.

B(MIDA)-Containing Diborons

Unsymmetrical B(MIDA)-containing diborons of potential synthetic utility were found to be synthesized from the readily available (neop)B-B(neop) and (HO)₂B-B(OH)₂, and the procedure was extended to the generation of symmetrical (MIDA)B-B(MIDA). NMR and X-ray crystal structure studies revealed that B(MIDA) units of all of the diborons obtained in this study were in rigid tetrahedral environment.

Aryl Transfer Selectivity in Metal-Free Reactions of Unsymmetrical Diaryliodonium Salts

Aromatic rings are found in a wide variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and functional materials. Diaryliodonium salts are new reagents used to transfer aryl groups under both metal-free and metal-catalyzed reactions and thereby synthesize arene-containing compounds. This minireview focuses on recent studies in selective aryl transfer reactions from unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts under metal-free conditions. Reactions reported from 2007 to 2017, which represents a period of significant growth in diaryliodonium salt chemistry, are presented and organized by the type of reactive intermediate formed in the reaction. Specifically, reactions involving λ³ -iodane, λ³ -iodane radical anions, aryl radicals, and arynes are discussed. Chemoselectivity trends in aryl transfer are compared and contrasted across reaction intermediates and translation to potential auxiliaries are posited.

An Admix Approach To Determine Counter Anion Effects on Metal-Free Arylation Reactions with Diaryliodonium Salts

A method to determine the effect of counter anions in metal-free arylation reactions of diaryliodonium salts is described. This approach avoids the independent synthesis of individual diaryliodonium salts and potentially enables assessment of a large number of different counter anions, including those that are synthetically challenging to install. Diaryliodonium tosylate salts serve as a general precursor for this approach, and an azide arylation reaction was used to develop this strategy. Further optimization and representative scope of azide arylation is demonstrated in yields that range from 74-95% (89% average). The use of this method as a screening tool has also been validated with arylation reactions of three different nucleophiles employing diphenyliodonium tosylate.

Decarboxylative Borylation of Aliphatic Esters under Visible-Light Photoredox Conditions

The conventional methods for preparing alkyl boronates often necessitate anhydrous and demanding reaction conditions. Herein, a new, operationally simple decarboxylative borylation reaction of readily available aliphatic acid derivatives under additive-free visible-light photoredox conditions in nonanhydrous solvents has been described. Primary and secondary alkyl boronates or tetrafluoroborates with various functional groups were prepared accordingly. A catalytic cycle involving alkyl radical reaction with base-activated diboron species has been proposed.

Acylboranes: synthetic strategies and applications

Acylboranes are an attractive class of compounds, of which the synthesis has very recently been documented as summarised in this review. Access to these compounds provides a path to study their properties and reactivity.

Copper-catalyzed direct borylation of alkyl, alkenyl and aryl halides with B(dan)

Copper-catalyzed reaction of organic halides with an unsymmetrical diboron, (pin)B–B(dan), which leads to the direct formation of masked organoboron compounds, is reported.

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.

Efficient metal-free photochemical borylation of aryl halides under batch and continuous-flow conditions

A rapid, chemoselective and metal-free C-B bond-forming reaction of aryl iodides and bromides in aqueous solution at low temperatures was discovered. This reaction is amenable to batch and continuous-flow conditions and shows exceptional functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope regarding both the aryl halide and the borylating reagent. Initial mechanistic experiments indicated a photolytically generated aryl radical as the key intermediate.