Facile preparation of organosilanes from benzylboronates and gem-diborylalkanes mediated by KOtBu

Direct C(sp3)-H functionalization with aryl and alkyl radicals as intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agents

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of direct intermolecular C(sp3)-H bond functionalization using in situ generated aryl/alkyl radicals as a unique class of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agents. A variety of precursors have been exploited to produce these radical HAT agents under photocatalytic, electrochemical or thermal conditions. To date, viable aryl radical precursors have included aryl diazonium salts or aryl azosulfones, diaryliodonium salts, O-benzoyl oximes, aryl sulfonium salts, aryl thioesters, and aryl halides; and applicable alkyl radical sources have included tetrahalogenated methanes (e.g., CCl3Br, CBr4 and CF3I), N-hydroxyphthalimide esters, alkyl bromides, and acetic acid. This review summarizes the current advances in direct intermolecular C(sp3)-H functionalization through key HAT events with in situ generated aryl/alkyl radicals and categorizes the procedures by the specific radical precursors applied. With an emphasis on the reaction conditions, mechanisms and representative substrate scopes of these protocols, this review aims to demonstrate the current trends and future challenges of this emerging field.

Organophotocatalyzed Cross Coupling of C- and Si-Radical to Access Dibenzylic Silanes from para-Quinone Methides and Silanecarboxylic Acids

Herein we present a catalytic cross-coupling strategy between C-radicals and Si-radicals, enabling the efficient, gentle, and versatile synthesis of dibenzylic silanes from para-quinone methides and silanecarboxylic acids as the stable silyl radical precursors. The reaction is facilitated by an inexpensive organophotocatalyst and exhibits broad compatibility with various electron-donating and electron-withdrawing functional groups. Notably, mechanistic investigations suggest the involvement of dibenzylic and silyl radicals, underscoring a novel radical coupling mechanism that introduces a fresh perspective on C-Si bond formation.

Allylsilane as a versatile handle in photoredox catalysis

Organosilanes have secured a special place in the synthetic world for several decades. However, among them, allylsilanes are a choice reagent for organic chemists to develop novel organic transformations. In recent years researchers have proved that visible-light photoredox catalysis has emerged as one of the most mild, sustainable, straightforward, and efficient strategies to construct simple to complex molecules with or without enantioselectivity. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advances and strategies employed in visible-light photoredox catalysis for allylsilane and its analogues for the development of various organic transformations. The review is divided into sections, each focused on a specific reactivity of allylsilane under light irradiation with C(sp2) center arene or alkene, C(sp2) center carbonyl, and C(sp3) center carbon functionality. In this review, we present optimization data, reaction scope, and mechanistic aspects to bring forward specific reactivity and selectivity trends of allylsilane in photoredox conditions.

Direct Synthesis of Tertiary Phosphines via Alkoxide-Mediated Deborylative Phosphination of Organoboronates

The direct transformation of alkylboron has emerged as a versatile and powerful methodology for creating carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. However, its potential application in the formation of carbon and phosphorus remains unexplored. In this study, we present an alkoxide base-promoted reaction system that enables deborylative phosphination of benzylic organoboronates and geminal bis(boronates) via selective C-B bond cleavage. This approach allows for the synthesis of valuable tertiary phosphines in good yields under mild conditions. The practicality and industrial potential of this approach are underscored by the operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, and easy scalability.

Base-mediated C-B bond activation of benzylic boronate for the rapid construction of β-silyl/boryl functionalized 1,1-diarylalkanes from aromatic alkenes

The effect of tBuOK on the existing state of benzylic boronates in the solution phase has been investigated in detail by NMR analysis and DFT calculations. It was determined that simply using an excess of tBuOK (2.0 equivalents) can result in the full deborylation of benzylic boronates to afford free benzyl potassium species. These mechanistic insights were leveraged for the facile construction of β-silyl/boryl functionalized 1,1-diarylalkanes from aromatic alkenes via the combination of base-mediated silylboration or diborylation of aromatic alkenes and nucleophilic-type reactions with various electrophiles. Based on further machine-learning-assisted screening, the scope of electrophiles for this transformation can be generalized to the challenging aromatic heterocycles. Late-stage functionalization performed on several drug-relevant molecules generates the highly valuable 1,1-diaryl framework.