Conjunctive functionalization of vinyl boronate complexes with electrophiles: a diastereoselective three-component coupling

Chemoselective and Stereoselective Allylation of Bis(alkenyl)boronates

Bis(alkenyl)boronates react with optically active Ir(π-allyl) species in a process that involves allylation of the more substituted olefin and 1,2-metalate shift of the less substituted olefin. The method constructs valuable enantioenriched tertiary allylic boronic esters with high chemoselectivity, enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Allylic functionalization reactions transform the 1,3-stereodiad to 1,5- and 1,6-stereochemical relationships.

Synthesis of α-Seleno Boronates via Diboration of Carbonyl Compounds

A method has been described for accessing α-seleno alkyl boronates. The selenoboration was achieved via the diboration of carbonyl compounds to give α-oxyl boronates, which then undergo 1,2-metalate rearrangement in the presence of lithium selenolates and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). A variety of structurally diverse substrates were compatible with this protocol and efficiently provides difunctionalized products from simple starting materials. The presence of the boronic ester in the resulting organoselenium compounds serves as a versatile synthetic handle for various functionalizations. Mechanistic studies revealed that the binding of selenium nucleophile to both the boron centers in α-oxyl boronate esters.

Trifluoromethylarylation of alkenes using anilines

Nitrogen containing compounds, such as anilines, are some of the most widespread and useful chemical species, although their high and unselective reactivity has prevented their incorporation into many interesting transformations, such as the functionalization of alkenes. Herein we report a method that allows the trifluoromethylarylation of alkenes using anilines, for the first time, with no need for additives, transition metals, photocatalysts or an excess of reagents. An in-depth mechanistic study reveals the key role of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a unique solvent, establishing a hydrogen bonding network with aniline and trifluoromethyl reagent, that is responsible for the altered reactivity and exquisite selectivity. This work uncovers a new mode of reactivity that involves the use of abundant anilines as a non-prefunctionalized aromatic source and the simultaneous activation of trifluoromethyl hypervalent iodine reagent.

Stereodivergent Zweifel Olefination and its Mechanistic Dichotomy

Stereoselective Zweifel olefination using boronate complexes carrying two different reactive π-systems was achieved to synthesize vinyl heteroarenes and conjugated 1,3-dienes in good yield and up to 100 % stereoselectivity, which remains unexplored until now. Most importantly, we report the unprecedented formation of E vs. Z-vinyl heteroarenes for different heteroarenes under identical conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations unveil the mechanistic dichotomy between olefin and heteroarene activation followed by 1,2-migration, leading to E or Z-vinyl heteroarenes respectively. We also report a previously unknown reversal of stereoselectivity by using 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as an electrophile. The Zweifel olefination using a boronate complex that carries two different olefins was previously unexplored due to significant challenges associated with the site-selective activation of olefins. We have solved this problem and reported the site-selective activation of olefins for the stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-dienes.

Diastereoselective Alkylation of Activated Nitrogen Heterocycles with Alkenyl Boronate Complexes

Alkenyl boronate complexes react with acylated quinolines and isoquinolines via 1,2-metalate rearrangement to give alkylated, dearomatized heterocycles in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and regioselectivities. This multi-component coupling is highly modular and can be used to access a wide scope of heterocyclic scaffolds. Chiral boronic esters made through this methodology possess high synthetic potential and can be transformed into various functional groups in one step without racemization.

Photocatalytic Alkyl Radical Addition Tandem Oxidation of Alkenyl Borates

Photocatalytic oxidation is a popular transformation way for organic synthesis and is widely applied in academia and industry. Herein, we report a blue light-induced alkylation-oxidation tandem reaction for the synthesis of diverse ketones by combining alkyl radical addition and oxidation of alkenyl borates. This reaction shows excellent functional group compatibility in acceptable yields, and diversity of radical precursors is applicable.

Boron-Mediated Regioselective Aromatic C-H Functionalization via an Aryl BF2 Complex

An efficient regioselective functionalization of 2-aryl-heteroarenes and aryl aldehydes via an azaaryl BF₂ complex has been developed. Mechanistically the reaction comprises fluoride to bromide ligand exchange on an aryl boron species and consecutive C-B bond cleavage to deliver a broad range of functionalized products. The reaction is high yielding, has a broad substrate scope where several different heteroarenes can be functionalized with chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxyl, amine and BF₂ in a highly regioselective fashion. The method can be applied for late-stage functionalization or for rapid skeleton remodeling with for instance cross-couplings.

Mechanistic Basis for the Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylation of Alkenyl Boronates

Iridium(phosphoramidite) complexes catalyze an enantio- and diastereoselective three-component coupling reaction of alkenyl boronic esters, organolithium reagents, and secondary allylic carbonates. The reaction proceeds through an allylation-induced 1,2-metalate shift of the alkenyl boronate to form non-adjacent stereocenters. Mechanistic investigations outline the overall catalytic cycle and reveal trends in reactivity and selectivity. Analysis of relative stereochemistry in products derived from a variety of 1,1-disubtituted alkenyl boronates provides insight into the transition state of the addition and indicates a concerted pathway. Kinetic analysis of the reaction revealed the kinetic order dependence in boronate, the catalyst, and both the slow- and fast-reacting enantiomer of allylic carbonate as well as the turnover-limiting step of the reaction. Determination of nucleophile-specific parameters N and s_N for alkenyl boronate complexes enabled comparison to other classes of nucleophiles. DFT calculations indicate the addition of the alkenyl boronate to the cationic Ir(π-allyl) intermediate and the 1,2-metalate shift occur in a concerted mechanism. The stereoselectivity is determined by ligand-substrate steric repulsions and dispersion interactions in the syn addition transition state. Hammett studies supported the computational results with regard to electronic trends observed with both aryl-derived alkenyl boronates and aryl carbonates.

Diastereodivergent Synthesis of Cyclopentyl Boronic Esters Bearing Contiguous Fully Substituted Stereocenters

The synthesis of molecules bearing two or more contiguous, quaternary stereocenters is challenging, owing to the difficulty in controlling stereochemistry whilst simultaneously constructing a sterically congested motif. Herein, we report the electrophile-induced ring contractive 1,2-metallate rearrangement of 6-membered cyclic alkenyl boronate complexes for the synthesis of cyclopentyl boronic esters bearing two contiguous, fully substituted stereocenters with high levels of stereocontrol. Remarkably, simple variation of the reaction solvent enabled their diastereodivergent construction with facile access to complementary diastereomeric pairs. The utility of our methodology is demonstrated in the asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-herbertene-1,14-diol.

Dual Nickel/Photoredox-Catalyzed Site-Selective Cross-Coupling of 1,2-Bis-Boronic Esters Enabled by 1,2-Boron Shifts

Site-selective transition-metal-catalyzed mono-deboronative cross-couplings of 1,2-bis-boronic esters are valuable methods for the synthesis of functionalized organoboron compounds. However, such cross-couplings are limited to reaction of the sterically less hindered primary boronic ester. Herein, we report a nickel/photoredox-catalyzed mono-deboronative arylation of 1,2-bis-boronic esters that is selective for coupling of the more sterically hindered secondary/tertiary position. This is achieved by taking advantage of a 1,2-boron shift of primary β-boryl radicals to the thermodynamically favored secondary/tertiary radicals, which are subsequently intercepted by the nickel catalyst to enable arylation. The mild conditions are amenable to a broad range of aryl halides to give β-aryl boronic ester products in good yields and with high regioselectivity. This method also allows stereodivergent coupling of cyclic cis-1,2-bis-boronic esters to give trans-substituted products.

Recent Advances in the Construction of Fluorinated Organoboron Compounds

Fluorinated organoboron compounds are important synthetic building blocks that combine the unique characteristics of a fluorinated motif with the versatile synthetic applications of organoboron moiety. This review article guides the research on fluorinated organoboron compounds mainly from four aspects in recent years: selective monodefluoroborylation of polyfluoroarenes and polyfluoroalkenes, selective borylation of fluorinated substrates, selective fluorination of organoboron compounds, and borofluorination of alkynes/olefins. In addition, this review will provide a necessary guidance and inspiration for the research on the valuable synthetic building block fluorinated organoboron compounds.

Annulative Coupling of Vinylboronic Esters: Aryne-Triggered 1,2-Metallate Rearrangement

A stereoselective annulative coupling of a vinylboronic ester ate-complex with arynes producing cyclic borinic esters has been developed. An annulation reaction that proceeded through the formation of two C–C bonds and a C–B bond was realized by exploiting a 1,2-metallate rearrangement of boronate triggered by the addition of a vinyl group to the strained triple bond of an aryne. The generated aryl anion would then cyclize to a boron atom to complete the annulation cascade. The annulated borinic ester could be converted to boronic acids and their derivatives by oxidation, halogenation, and cross-coupling. Particularly, halogenation and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling proceeded in a site-selective fashion and produced highly substituted alkylboronic acid derivatives.

A stereoselective annulative coupling of a vinylboronic ester ate-complex with arynes producing cyclic borinic esters has been developed.

Three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters via amidyl radical induced 1,2-migration

Three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters with alkyl/aryl lithium reagents and N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides is presented. Vinylboron ate complexes generated in situ from the boronic ester and an organo lithium reagent are shown to react with readily available N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides to give valuable 1,2-aminoboronic esters. These cascades proceed in the absence of any catalyst upon simple visible light irradiation. Amidyl radicals add to the vinylboron ate complexes followed by oxidation and 1,2-alkyl/aryl migration from boron to carbon to give the corresponding carboamination products. These practical cascades show high functional group tolerance and accordingly exhibit broad substrate scope. Gram-scale reaction and diverse follow-up transformations convincingly demonstrate the synthetic potential of this method.

Stereodivergent Access to Trisubstituted Alkenylboronate Esters through Alkene Isomerization

We report an efficient method for the preparation of synthetically valuable trisubstituted alkenylboronate esters through alkene isomerization of their readily available 1,1-disubstituted regioisomeric counterparts. Either stereoisomer of the target alkenylboronate motif can be obtained at will from the same starting material by employing different isomerization catalysts.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,3-Dienes via "à la carte" Multifunctionalization of Borylated Dendralenes

Despite the high relevance of 1,3-dienes, stereoselective methods to access tetrasubstituted conjugated dienes are still scarce. We here report an efficient and modular approach that provides access to multifunctional tetrasubstituted 1,3-dienes with excellent levels of regio- and stereoselectivity. This methodology is based on a tetracomponent reaction between a borylated dendralene, an organolithium reagent and two different electrophiles. Mechanistic studies reveal that this transformation proceeds through a regio- and stereoselective carbolithiation/electrophilic trapping of an in situ formed dendralenic boron-ate complex, followed by a stereoretentive halodeborylation. The ease in which complex structural dienes can be accessed and their synthetic versatility highlight the importance and utility of this method.

Synthesis of functionalized cyclopropylboronic esters based on a 1,2-metallate rearrangement of cyclopropenylboronate

A procedure converting tribromocyclopropane to densely functionalized β-selenocyclopropylboronic ester using the 1,2-metallate rearrangement of a boron ate-complex has been developed. Treatment of an in situ-generated cyclopropenylboronic ester ate-complex with phenylselenenyl chloride triggered stereospecific rearrangement to produce functionalized cyclopropanes. DFT calculations for 1,2-metallate rearrangement suggested that the reaction proceeds through a seleniranium intermediate.

Catalytic, Enantioselective Sulfenofunctionalization of Alkenes: Development and Recent Advances

The last decade has witnessed a burgeoning of new methods for the enantioselective vicinal difunctionalization of alkenes initiated by electrophilic sulfenyl group transfer. The addition of sulfenium ions to alkenes results in the generation of chiral, non-racemic thiiranium ions. These highly reactive intermediates are susceptible to attack by a myriad of nucleophiles in a stereospecific ring-opening event to afford anti 1,2-sulfenofunctionalized products. The practical application of sulfenium ion transfer has been enabled by advances in the field of Lewis base catalysis. This Review will chronicle the initial discovery and characterization of thiiranium ion intermediates followed by the determination of their configurational stability and the challenges of developing enantioselective variants. Once the framework for the reactivity and stability of thiiranium ions has been established, a critical analysis of pioneering studies will be presented. Finally, a comprehensive discussion of modern synthetic applications will be categorized around the type of nucleophile employed for sulfenofunctionalization.

Synthesis of 1,3-Bis-(boryl)alkanes through Boronic Ester Induced Consecutive Double 1,2-Migration

A general and efficient approach for the preparation of 1,3-bis-(boryl)alkanes is introduced. It is shown that readily generated vinylboron ate complexes react with commercially available ICH2 Bpin to valuable 1,3-bis-(boryl)alkanes. The introduced transformation, which is experimentally easy to conduct, shows broad substrate scope and high functional-group tolerance. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction does not proceed via radical intermediates. Instead, an unprecedented boronic ester induced sequential bis-1,2-migration cascade is suggested.

Difunctionalization of C-C σ-Bonds Enabled by the Reaction of Bicyclo[1.1.0]butyl Boronate Complexes with Electrophiles: Reaction Development, Scope, and Stereochemical Origins

Difunctionalization reactions of C-C σ-bonds have the potential to streamline access to molecules that would otherwise be difficult to prepare. However, the development of such reactions is challenging because C-C σ-bonds are typically unreactive. Exploiting the high ring-strain energy of polycyclic carbocycles is a common strategy to weaken and facilitate the reaction of C-C σ-bonds, but there are limited examples of highly strained C-C σ-bonds being used in difunctionalization reactions. We demonstrate that highly strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butyl boronate complexes (strain energy ca. 65 kcal/mol), which were prepared by reacting boronic esters with bicyclo[1.1.0]butyl lithium, react with electrophiles to achieve the diastereoselective difunctionalization of the strained central C-C σ-bond of the bicyclo[1.1.0]butyl unit. The reaction shows broad substrate scope, with a range of different electrophiles and boronic esters being successfully employed to form a diverse set of 1,1,3-trisubstituted cyclobutanes (>50 examples) with high diastereoselectivity. The high diastereoselectivity observed has been rationalized based on a combination of experimental data and DFT calculations, which suggests that separate concerted and stepwise reaction mechanisms are operating, depending upon the migrating substituent and electrophile used.

Electrophilic fluoroalkylthiolation induced diastereoselective and stereospecific 1,2-metalate migration of alkenylboronate complexes

A transition metal free process for conjunctive functionalization of alkenylboron ate-complexes with electrophilic fluoroalkylthiolating reagents is described, affording β-trifluoroalkylthiolated and difluoroalkylthiolated boronic esters in good yield and excellent diastereoselectivity. The potential applicability of the method was demonstrated by the preparation of a difluoromethylthiolated mimic 12 of a potential drug molecule PF-4191834 for the treatment of asthma.

A transition metal free process for conjunctive functionalization of alkenylboron ate-complexes with electrophilic fluoroalkylthiolating reagents affords β-tri- and difluoroalkylthiolated boronic esters in good yield and diastereoselectivity.

Transition metal-free synthesis of alkyl pinacol boronates

This review systematically outlined the research in the area of transition metal free synthesis of alkyl pinacol boronates, which are versatile and important scaffolds to construct diverse organic compounds.

Catalytic Conjunctive Coupling of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives with 9-BBN-Derived Ate Complexes

β-Boryl carbonyl compounds are produced by a Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinylboron "ate" complexes and acid chloride or acid anhydride electrophiles. The reactions are efficient, being complete in as little as two minutes, and can be applied to a broad range of substrates.

Catalyst-Free Enantiospecific Olefination with In Situ Generated Organocerium Species

Described is the in situ formation of triorganocerium reagents and their application in catalyst-free Zweifel olefinations. These unique cerium species were generated through novel exchange reactions of organohalides with n-Bu₃ Ce reagents. The adequate electronegativity of cerium allowed for compensating the disadvantages of both usually functional-group-sensitive organolithium species and less reactive organomagnesium reagents. Exchange reactions were performed on aryl and alkenyl bromides, enabling enantiospecific transformations of chiral boron pinacol esters. Finally, these new organocerium species were engaged in selective 1,2-additions onto enolisable and sterically hindered ketones.

Enantioselective, Lewis Base-Catalyzed Carbosulfenylation of Alkenylboronates by 1,2-Boronate Migration

A catalytic, enantioselective method for the preparation of chiral, non-racemic, alkylboronic esters bearing two vicinal stereogenic centers is described. The reaction proceeds via a 1,2-migration of a zwitterionic thiiranium-boronate complex to give exclusively anti carbosulfenylation products. A broad scope of aryl groups migrate with good yield and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1 e.r.). Similarly, a range of di- and trisubstituted alkenylboronic esters are competent reaction partners. This method provides access to both secondary and tertiary chiral alkylboronic esters.

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Allenes by Point-to-Axial Chirality Transfer

An enantiodivergent method for the synthesis of multiply substituted allenes is described. Highly enantioenriched, point-chiral boronic esters were synthesized by homologation of α-seleno alkenyl boronic esters with lithiated carbamates and eliminated to form axially chiral allene products. By employing either oxidative or alkylative conditions, both syn and anti elimination could be achieved with complete stereospecificity. The process enables the synthesis of either M or P allenes from a single isomer of a point-chiral precursor and can be employed for the enantioselective assembly of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted allenes.

Stereo- and Regiocontrolled Methylboration of Terminal Alkynes

A scalable and operationally simple synthesis of trisubstituted alkenyl boronic esters has been achieved using a Zr-catalyzed carboalumination of terminal alkynes followed by in situ transmetalation with i-PrOBpin. The products are formed in good yields and with excellent regioselectivity and perfect stereoselectivity. The new procedure provides a significant improvement over the previously reported syntheses.

Enantiospecific Three-Component Alkylation of Furan and Indole

Furan‐ and indole‐derived boronate complexes react with alkyl iodides under radical (photoredox) or polar (S_N2) conditions to generate three‐component alkylation products with high efficiency and complete stereospecificity. The methodology allows the incorporation of versatile functional groups such as nitriles, ketones, esters, sulfones, and amides, providing rapid access to complex chiral heteroaromatic molecules in enantioenriched form. Interestingly, while indolyl boronate complexes react directly with alkyl halides in a polar pathway, furyl boronates require photoredox catalysis. Careful mechanistic analysis revealed that the boronate complex not only serves as a substrate in the reaction but also acts as a reductive quencher for the excited state of the photocatalyst.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Conjunctive Cross-Coupling of 9-BBN Borates

Catalytic enantioselective conjunctive cross-coupling between 9-BBN borate complexes and aryl electrophiles can be accomplished with Ni salts in the presence of a chiral diamine ligand. The reactions furnish chiral 9-BBN derivatives in an enantioselective fashion and these are converted to chiral alcohols and amines, or engaged in other stereospecific C-C bond forming reactions.