Transition-Metal-Free Borylation of Allylic and Propargylic Alcohols

Borylation of Stable C(sp3)-O Bonds of Alkyl Esters over Supported Au Catalysts

We report herein that supported gold catalysts efficiently promote the borylation of stable C(sp3)-O bonds of alkyl esters. The use of a disilane as an electron source and gold nanoparticles as a single-electron transfer catalyst is the key to generating alkyl radicals via the homolysis of stable C(sp3)-O bonds, thereby enabling cross-coupling between bis(pinacolato)diboron and linear and cyclic alkyl esters to afford the diverse alkyl boronates.

Synthesis of Boronic Esters from Organometallic Reagents and Bis(pinacolato)diboron

Synthesis of alkyl, aryl, and vinyl boronic esters carrying various chiral and achiral diol-protecting groups were synthesized starting from the corresponding alkyl, aryl, and vinyl lithium or Grignard reagents. Good to excellent yields were obtained for a large range of substrates. The reaction can be conducted in a gram scale to obtain the product over 80 % yield. This approach provides direct access to neopentyl, pinene, and other boronic esters that are difficult to achieve. Using trimethoxyborane or 2-isopropoxy pinacolboronic ester. Detailed mechanistic studies have been conducted to understand the mechanism behind the formation of boronic ester starting from organometallic reagents.

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.

Direct deoxygenative borylation

Direct deoxygenative borylation is a highly enabling chemical transformation considering the attractive synthetic features of oxygenous feedstocks and organoboron compounds. Despite ranking among the synthetic ideality in different settings, such chemical space remained largely uncharted and underutilized until recent decades. This short review will summarize some key advances in the field of direct deoxy-borylation of alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids and organize these contributions based on substrate classes. In each representative, the general features, including reaction conditions, product scopes and mechanistic insights, will be highlighted and discussed.

Biomimetic Total Synthesis and Investigation of the Non-Enzymatic Chemistry of Oxazinin A

We report the first total synthesis of an antimycobacterial natural product oxazinin A that takes advantage of a multi-component cascade reaction of anthranilic acid and a precursor polyketide containing an aldehyde. The route utilized for the synthesis of the pseudodimeric oxazinin A validates a previously proposed biosynthetic mechanism, invoking a non-enzymatic pathway to the complex molecule. We found a 76 : 10 : 9 : 5 ratio of oxazinin diastereomers from the synthetic cascade, which is an identical match to that found in the fermentation media from the fungus Eurotiomycetes 110162. Further investigation of the non-enzymatic formation of oxazinin A using 1 H-15 N HMBC NMR spectroscopy allowed for a plausible determination of the stepwise mechanism. The developed route is highly amenable for the synthesis of diverse sets of analogs around the oxazinin scaffold to study structure-activity relationships (SAR).

Stereoselective Dehydroxyboration of Allylic Alcohols to Access (E)-Allylboronates by a Combination of C-OH Cleavage and Boron Transfer under Iron Catalysis

Iron-catalyzed direct S_N2' dehydroxyboration of allylic alcohols has been developed to access (E)-stereoselective allylboronates. Allylic alcohols with diverse structures and functional groups, especially derived from natural products, underwent smooth transformation. The six-membered ring transition state formed by allylic alcohols and iron-boron intermediate was indicated to be the key component involved in transfer of the boron group, activation of the C-OH bond, and control of the stereoselectivity.

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.

Mechanistic study on the reaction of pinB-BMes2 with alkynes based on experimental investigation and DFT calculations: gradual change of mechanism depending on the substituent

Transition metal-free direct and base-catalyzed 1,2-diborations of arylacetylenes using pinB-BMes₂ provided a syn/anti-isomeric mixture of diborylalkenes. The kinetic analysis showed that the reaction rate and isomer ratio were affected by reaction conditions and substituents on the aryl ring. DFT calculations indicated that direct addition proceeded via the interaction of acetylene-π with the BMes₂ fragment. In contrast, for the base-catalyzed diboration, the previously isolated sp²–sp³ diborane and borataallene were confirmed as stable intermediates by calculations. The whole reaction pathways can be divided into the Bpin-migration and deprotonation steps, where the borataallene should be considered as a common intermediate. It should be noted that the deprotonation step is reversible and affords the kinetically less favoured isomer under the thermodynamic conditions. As a result, the composition of isomeric products, in the base-catalyzed diboration, is attributed to the small difference of activation barriers between direct and base-catalyzed systems.

Combination of kinetic and DFT studies revealed a subtle balance for substituent effect toward the regioselectivity of the product in metal-free and base-catalyzed diboration of arylacetylenes.

Copper-Mediated Dichotomic Borylation of Alkyne Carbonates: Stereoselective Access to (E)-1,2-Diborylated 1,3-Dienes versus Traceless Monoborylation Affording α-Hydroxyallenes

A mild copper-mediated protocol has been developed for borylation of alkynyl cyclic carbonates. Depending on the nature of the borylating reaction partner, either stereoselective diborylation of the propargylic surrogate takes place, providing convenient access to (E)-1,2-borylated 1,3-dienes, or traceless monoborylation occurs, which leads to α-hydroxyallenes as the principal product. The dichotomy in this borylation protocol has been scrutinized by several control experiments, illustrating that a relatively small change in the diboron(4) reagent allows for competitive alcohol-assisted protodemetalation to forge an α-hydroxyallene product under ambient conditions.

Diboron-controlled product selectivity switch in copper-catalyzed decarboxylative substitutions of alkynyl cyclic carbonates

DFT calculations were performed to explore the mechanisms, origins of diboron-controlled divergent product selectivity and stereoselectivity in the copper-catalyzed decarboxylative substitution of alkynyl cyclic carbonates.

Diboration of 3-substituted propargylic alcohols using a bimetallic catalyst system: access to (Z)-allyl, vinyldiboronates

The diboration of substituted propargylic alcohols has been achieved using a bimetallic Pd/Cu catalyst system. The in situ formation of a pentrafluoroboronic acid intermediate sufficiently activates the C-O bond towards dual catalysis affording (Z)-allyl, vinyldiboronates stereoselectively.

Methodologies and Strategies for Selective Borylation of C-Het and C-C Bonds

Organoborons have emerged as versatile building blocks in organic synthesis to achieve molecular diversity and as carboxylic acid bioisosteres with broad applicability in drug discovery. Traditionally, these compounds are prepared by the substitution of Grignard/lithium reagents with electrophilic boron species and Brown hydroboration. Recent developments have provided new routes for the efficient preparation of organoborons by applying reactions using chemical feedstocks with leaving groups. As compared to the previous methods that used organic halides (I, Br, and Cl), the direct borylation of less reactive C-Het and C-C bonds has become highly important to get efficiency and functional-group compatibility. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this topic, including (1) C-F bond borylation, (2) C-O bond borylation, (3) C-S bond borylation, (4) C-N bond borylation, and (5) C-C bond borylation. Considerable attention is given to the strategies and mechanisms involved. We expect that this Review will inspire chemists to discover more efficient transformations to expand this field.

Enantioselective Reductive Coupling of Imines Templated by Chiral Diboron

We herein report a general, practical, and highly efficient method for asymmetric synthesis of a wide range of chiral vicinal diamines via reductive coupling of imines templated by chiral diboron. The protocol features high enantioselectivity and stereospecificity, mild reaction conditions, simple operating procedures, use of readily available starting materials, and a broad substrate scope. The method signifies the generality of diboron-enabled [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.

Nickel-Catalyzed Homo- and Cross-Coupling of Allyl Alcohols via Allyl Boronates

A nickel-catalyzed homo- and cross-coupling of allylic alcohols to 1,5-dienes in the presence of B₂pin₂ with excellent regioselectivity has been developed. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via sequential nickel-catalyzed borylation of allyl alcohols followed by cross-coupling of the resulting allyl boronates with allyl alcohols. The method was effectively applied to nickel-catalyzed allylation of aldehydes using allylic alcohols directly.

Tri(boryl)alkanes and Tri(boryl)alkenes: The Versatile Reagents

The interest of organoboron chemistry in organic synthesis is growing, together with the development of new and versatile polyborated reagents. Here, the preparation of 1,1,1-tri(boryl)alkanes, 1,2,3-tri(boryl)alkanes, 1,1,2-tri(boryl)alkanes, as well as 1,1,2-tri(boryl)alkenes as suitable and accessible polyborated systems is demonstrated as being easily applied in the construction of new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Synthetic procedures and limitations have been collected to demonstrate the powerful strategies to construct selective molecules, taking advantages of the easy transformation of carbon-boron bond in multiple functionalities, under the total control of chemo- and stereoselectivity.

Reductive Aromatization of Quinols with B2 pin2 as Deoxidizing Agent

We have demonstrated B₂ pin₂ as superior deoxidizing agent for the reductive deoxygenation of quinol derivatives under basic conditions. A wide range of highly functionalized phenols were obtained in good yields including a complex drug molecule, which revealed the high functional group tolerance of this protocol.

Synthesis of Allenyl-Bdan via the Cu(I)-Catalyzed Borylation of Propargylic Alcohols with the Unsymmetric Diboron Reagent (Bpin-Bdan)

The synthesis of allenyl-Bdan has been realized via the Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of propargylic alcohols. This methodology offers a facile and efficient pathway toward allenyboronates with diverse functional groups due to the simple access to the substrates. The substrates bearing ester groups are well-tolerated in the synthesis of allenyl-Bdan under the Lewis acidic conditions. The structures of two allenyl-Bdan were further confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Base-promoted domino-borylation-protodeboronation strategy

Since a nucleophilic sp2 boron species can be generated in situ under the combined action of an inorganic base, B2pin2 and methanol, research on base-promoted nucleophilic borylation of unsaturated compounds has attracted significant attention. A series of multi-borylated compounds, such as alkyl 1,2-bis(boronates), gem-diborylalkanes, and 1,1,2-tris(boronates), are constructed based on this strategy. These multi-borylated compounds can in turn undergo selective protodeboronation, creating a variety of useful boron-containing compounds. This Feature article documents the development of base-promoted domino-borylation-protodeboronation (DBP) strategies and their applications in organic synthesis.

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.

Synthesis of anti-vicinal diboronates from diarylethynes and B2pin2

Anti-vicinal diboronates were fabricated from easily available diarylethynes and B₂pin₂ via a base-catalyzed domino-borylation-protodeboronation (DBP) strategy under transition-metal-free conditions. Under the standard conditions, reactants with a range of different classes of functional groups on the rings, such as MeO, MeS, CF₃O, Me₂N, TMS, I, Br, Cl, F, and the thiophene ring, were tolerated. Downstream transformation of the vicinal diboronates provided a facile pathway for obtaining vicinal diols by mild oxidation with NaBO₃, and a new deuteriation technique was developed in order to acquire 1,2-diarylethanes-1,2-d₂ and 1,2-diarylethanes-1,1,2,2-d₄. The new deuteriation strategy developed in this study may provide a new research direction for deuteriation chemistry.

Hexahalodiborate Dianions: A New Family of Binary Boron Halides

The electron‐precise binary boron subhalide species [B₂X₆]²⁻ X=F, Br, I) were synthesized and their structures confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The existence of the previously claimed [B₂Cl₆]²⁻, which had been questioned, was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The dianions are isoelectronic to hexahaloethanes, are subhalide analogues of the well‐known tetrahaloborate anions (BX₄⁻), and are rare examples of molecular electron‐precise binary boron species beyond B₂X₄, BX₃, and [BX₄]⁻.

Snapshots of magnesium-centred diborane heterolysis by an outer sphere SN2 process

Reactions of a magnesium diboranate as a source of [Bpin]^– anions are initiated by ‘outer sphere’ attack of C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> N bonded substrates.

Reactions of the β-diketiminato magnesium diboranate derivative, [(BDI)Mg{pinB(n-Bu)Bpin}] (BDI = HC{(Me)CNDipp}₂; Dipp = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), with N,N′-dialkyl and N,N′-diaryl carbodiimides provided the corresponding C-borylated magnesium borylamidinates. This reactivity occurs with the displacement of n-BuBpin and with the apparent addition of a nucleophilic {Bpin} anion to the electrophilic unsaturated carbodiimide carbon centres. In contrast, while analogous reactions of [(BDI)Mg{pinB(n-Bu)Bpin}] with N-alkyl or N-aryl aldimines and ketimines also resulted in facile displacement of n-BuBpin, they provided the organomagnesium products of {Bpin} addition to the imine nitrogen atom rather than the more electrophilic trigonal imine carbon. Computational assessment by density functional theory (DFT) indicated that, although the energetic differences are marginal, the organomagnesium products may be considered as the kinetic outcome of these reactions with respect to the generation of alternative amidomagnesium regioisomers. This latter deduction was borne out by the thermally-induced conversion of two such organomagnesium species to their C-borylated amidomagnesium isomers, both of which occur with negligible entropies of activation indicative of purely intramolecular processes. Detailed analysis by DFT of the reaction of [(BDI)Mg{pinB(n-Bu)Bpin}] with PhN Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CHPh indicated that B–N bond formation is initiated by attack of the imine nitrogen at the three-coordinate boron atom of the diboranate anion rather than the more crowded magnesium centre. Consistent with an effectively spontaneous reaction, the resultant cleavage of the B–B bond of the diboranate unit is accomplished via the traversal of two very modest barriers of only 8.3 and 6.7 kcal mol^–1. This analysis was also supportive of a subsequent intramolecular B–N to B–C isomerisation process. Of greater general significance, however, the addition of the {Bpin}^– anion to the reducible aldimine is best rationalised as a consequence of the electrophilic character of this three-coordinate boron centre rather than any intrinsic nucleophilicity associated with the B–B bond of the [pinBB(n-Bu)pin]^– anion.

Transition-metal-free borylation of propargylic alcohols: structurally variable synthesis in ionic liquid medium

Transition-metal-free borylation of unactivated propargylic alcohols in basic ionic liquids allowed the construction of various highly functionalized vinylboronates.

Photocatalyzed borylation using water-soluble quantum dots

Herein, we report the use of water-soluble MPA-capped quantum dot (QD) photocatalysts for the borylation of diazonium salts in the presence of water.

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.

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.

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.

Transition-metal-free synthesis of vicinal triborated compounds and selective functionalisation of the internal C–B bond

1,2,3-Triborated compounds can be prepared by simple nucleophilic borylation of 1,3-dienes, without the assistance of metal catalysts.

Collective Syntheses of 2-(3-Methylbenzofuran-2-yl)phenol-Derived Natural Products by a Cascade [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Aromatization Strategy

A cascade [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement/aromatization strategy to the synthesis of 2-(3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)phenol derivatives was developed and applied to the collective syntheses of seven 2-arylbenzofuran-containing natural products, namely glycybenzofuran, glycyuralin E, lespedezol A₁, puerariafuran, 7,2',4'-trihydroxy-3-benzofurancarboxylic acid, coumestrol, and 4'-O-methylcoumestrol. Among them, the total syntheses of glycybenzofuran, glycyuralin E, puerariafuran, 7,2',4'-trihydroxy-3-benzofurancarboxylic acid, and 4'-O-methylcoumestrol were reported for the first time. The practicality of this novel strategy in preparation of the key intermediates was demonstrated by performing the reaction on gram scale and by synthesizing a series of natural products with 2-(3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)phenol scaffolds in a common strategy.