Catalyst-Controlled 1,2- and 1,1-Arylboration of α-Alkyl Alkenyl Arenes

A general approach to stereospecific Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic stereocenters

We have developed a general process for the formation of enantioenriched benzylic stereocenters via stereospecific Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of enantioenriched benzylic tricyclohexyltin nucleophiles. This process proceeds with excellent stereospecificity for a remarkably broad scope of electrophilic coupling partners including aryl and heteroaryl halides and triflates, acid chlorides, thioesters, chloroformates, and carbamoyl chlorides. Thus, enantioenriched 1,1-diarylalkanes as well as formal products of asymmetric enolate arylation are readily accessed using this approach. We additionally provide the first demonstration of a Sn-selective cross-coupling reaction using a vicinal alkylborylstannane nucleophile. In these reactions, the presence of cyclohexyl spectator ligands on tin is essential to ensure selective transfer of the secondary benzylic unit from tin to palladium.

Cu/Pd-catalyzed arylboration of a 1-silyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene for stereocontrolled and diverse cyclohexane/ene synthesis

The synthesis and Cu/Pd-catalyzed arylboration of 1-silyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene is described. This diene is significant as it allows for synthesis of polyfunctional cyclohexane/enes. To achieve high levels of diastereoselectivity, the use of a pyridylidene Cu-complex was employed. In addition, through the use of a chiral catalyst, an enantioselective reaction was possible. Due to the presence of the silyl and boron substituents, the products can be easily diversified into a range of valuable cyclohexane/ene products.

Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Directed Migratory Allylation of Remote Dienes

Chain walking has been an efficient route to realize the functionalization of inert C(sp3 )-H bonds, but this strategy is limited to mono-olefin migration and functionalization. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of tandem directed simultaneous migrations of remote olefins and stereoselective allylation for the first time. The adoption of palladium hydride catalysis and secondary amine morpholine as solvent is critical for achieving high substrate compatibility and stereochemical control with this method. The protocol is also applicable to the functionalization of three vicinal C(sp3 )-H bonds and thus construct three continuous stereocenters along a propylidene moiety via a short synthetic process. Preliminary mechanistic experiments corroborated the design of simultaneous walking of remote dienes.

Pd-Catalyzed 1,3-Alkenylarylation of Skipped Diene via Metal Migration

We disclose a palladium-catalyzed difunctionalization of skipped diene with alkenyl triflates and arylboronic acids to produce 1,3-alkenylarylated products. The reaction proceeded efficiently with Pd(acac)₂ as a catalyst and CsF as a base for a wide range of electron-deficient and electron-rich arylboronic acids as well as oxygen-heterocyclic, sterically hindered, and complex natural product-derived alkenyl triflates bearing various functional groups. The reaction produced 3-aryl-5-alkenylcyclohexene derivatives with 1,3-syn-disubstituted stereochemistry.

Fluorosulfonamide-Directed Heteroarylation of Aliphatic C(sp3)-H Bonds

Herein, we describe a formal dehydrogenative cross coupling of heterocycles with unactivated aliphatic amines. The resulting transformation enables the direct alkylation of common heterocycles by merging N-F-directed 1,5-HAT with Minisci chemistry, leading to predictable site selectivity. The reaction provides a direct route for the transformation of simple alkyl amines to value-added products under mild reaction conditions, making this an attractive option for C(sp³)-H heteroarylation.

Recent progress in nickel-catalyzed carboboration of alkenes

Alkenes represent one of the most useful building blocks for organic synthesis, owing to their abundance and versatile reactivity. Transition metal (Pd, Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, etc.) catalyzed difunctionalization of alkenes provides efficient access to substituted molecules from readily available alkenes by installing functional groups across their carbon-carbon double bonds. Particularly, Nickel-based catalytic complexes have attracted a great deal of attention. This is because they are prone to undergoing oxidative addition and slow β-hydride elimination, and can access both two-electron and radical pathways. Numerous elegant Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling methods, e.g., (hetero)arylboration, alkenylboration, alkylboration and alkynylboration of alkenes, have been developed with broad scopes and a high tolerance to a variety of functional groups. Therefore, the Ni-catalyzed carboboration of alkenes has become an efficient synthetic protocol to deliver substituted compounds by the cross-coupling of alkenes, electrophiles, and B₂Pin₂. Despite this progress, a number of challenging issues remaining in the field include broadening the types of carboboration reactions, especially the asymmetric ones, diversifying electrophile types (which is limited to halogens for now) and gaining profound insight into the reaction mechanisms. This review summarizes the recent progress in this emerging field from the literature published since 2018. It will provide the scientific community with convenience to access collective information and to accelerate their further research in order to broaden the scope of methodology and application in drug discovery programs.

Arylboration of Enecarbamates for the Synthesis of Borylated Saturated N-Heterocycles

Two catalytic systems have been developed for the arylboration of endocyclic enecarbamates to deliver synthetically versatile borylated saturated N-heterocycles in good regio- and diastereoselectivities. A Cu/Pd dual catalytic reaction enables the synthesis of borylated, α-arylated azetidines, while a Ni-catalysed arylboration reaction efficiently functionalizes 5-, 6-, and 7-membered enecarbamates. In the case of the Cu/Pd-system, a remarkable additive effect was identified that allowed for broader scope. The products are synthetically useful, as demonstrated by manipulations of the boronic ester to access biologically active compounds.

Nickel-Catalyzed 1,2-Arylboration of Unactivated Alkenes to Access Boryl-Functionalized Aliphatic Amines

We report herein a three-component 1,2-arylboration of alkenyl amines bearing a cleavable picolinamide directing group. With aryl halides as electrophiles and B₂Pin₂ as nucleophiles, a wide range of alkenes could be converted into valuable boryl-functionalized aliphatic amines. The reaction proceeds with high levels of chemo- and regiocontrol and exhibits high functional group tolerance. In addition, the pinacol boronic ester group could undergo various transformations, indicating that the protocol could potentially provide a platform for versatile regioselective difunctionalization of alkenyl amines.

Copper-catalyzed 1,2-Borylacylation of 1,3-Enynes: synthesis of β-Alkynyl ketones

A copper catalyzed 1,2-borylacylation of 1,3-enynes with B₂pin₂ and acid chlorides has been developed. Using readily available 1,3-enynes, B₂pin₂ and acid chlorides as substrates, a range of highly functionalized α,α-disubstituted β-alkynyl ketones were readily prepared under mild conditions in moderate to good yields. The borylacylated products can be easily derivatized to give several valuable structures. Notably, treatment of the products with NaBO₃·4H₂O provided 1,2-allenyl ketones, which is proposed to proceed via a retro-aldol process of the corresponding homopropargyl alcohols.

Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters through Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Enantioselective Functionalization of Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenters occur frequently in natural products, bioactive molecules, and pharmaceutical compounds. Construction of a carbon stereogenic center attached to four different carbons with defined spatial arrangement is a daunting challenge in asymmetric catalysis. Significant efforts have been directed towards the stereoselective construction of such acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenters. In particular, catalytic generation of acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenters through functionalization of unsaturated hydrocarbons is an extremely attractive approach because unsaturated hydrocarbons are easily accessible both in industry and in organic synthesis. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances achieved in this research area, with the aim to inspire future development.

1 Introduction

2 Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters through Functionalization of Allenes

3 Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters through Functionalization of Dienes

4 Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters through Functionalization of Mono-alkenes

5 Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters through Functionalization of Alkynes

6 Summary and Outlook

Cooperative Pd/Cu Catalysis for Alkene Arylboration: Opportunities for Divergent Reactivity

A preeminent challenge in alkene difunctionalization is the control of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. In this Perspective, a Pd/Cu-cooperative catalytic system for alkene arylboration is highlighted that allows for the controlled introduction of substituents. In particular, examples that allowed for divergent reactivity from a single substrate based on the tuning of catalysts and reaction conditions are emphasized.

Stereoselective gem-C,B-Glycosylation via 1,2-Boronate Migration

A novel protocol is established for the long-standing challenge of stereoselective geminal bisglycosylations of saccharides. The merger of PPh₃ as a traceless glycosidic leaving group and 1,2-boronate migration enables the simultaneous introduction of C-C and C-B bonds at the anomeric stereogenic center of furanoses and pyranoses. The power of this method is showcased by a set of site-selective modifications of glycosylation products for the construction of bioactive conjugates and skeletons. A scarce metal-free 1,1-difunctionalization process of alkenes is also concomitantly demonstrated.

Synthesis of conjugated bisallenes by cooperative Cu/Pd-catalysed borylallenylation of 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-enynes

We report a cooperative Cu/Pd-catalysed borylallenylation of 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-enynes with diboron reagents and propargylic carbonates access to a series of conjugated bisallenes with excellent functional group compatibility.

Controllable access to trifluoromethyl-containing indoles and indolines: Palladium-catalyzed regioselective functionalization of unactivated alkenes with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides

The synthesis of diverse products from the same starting materials is always attractive in organic chemistry. Here, a palladium-catalyzed substrate-controlled regioselective functionalization of unactivated alkenes with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides has been developed, which provides a direct but controllable access to a variety of structurally diverse trifluoromethyl-containing indoles and indolines. In more detail, with respect to γ,δ-alkenes, 1,1-geminal difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with trifluoroacetimidoyl chloride enables the [4 + 1] annulation to produce indoles; as for β,γ-alkenes, a [3 + 2] heteroannulation with the hydrolysis product of trifluoroacetimidoyl chloride through 1,2-vicinal difunctionalization of alkenes occurs to deliver indoline products. The structure of alkene substrates differentiates the regioselectivity of the reaction.

A palladium-catalyzed dual functionalization of unactivated alkenes with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides toward the synthesis of structurally diverse trifluoromethyl-containing indoles and indolines has been developed.

Regio- and Stereoselective Alkylboration of Endocyclic Olefins Enabled by Nickel Catalysis

Whereas there is a significant interest in the rapid construction of diversely substituted saturated heterocycles, direct and modular access is currently limited to the mono-, 2,3-, or 3,4-substitution pattern. This Communication describes the straightforward and modular construction of 2,4-substituted saturated heterocycles from readily available materials in a highly stereo- and regioselective manner, which sets the stage for numerous readily accessible drug motifs. The strategy relies on chain walking catalysis.

First-Row d-Block Element-Catalyzed Carbon-Boron Bond Formation and Related Processes

Organoboron reagents represent a unique class of compounds because of their utility in modern synthetic organic chemistry, often affording unprecedented reactivity. The transformation of the carbon-boron bond into a carbon-X (X = C, N, and O) bond in a stereocontrolled fashion has become invaluable in medicinal chemistry, agrochemistry, and natural products chemistry as well as materials science. Over the past decade, first-row d-block transition metals have become increasingly widely used as catalysts for the formation of a carbon-boron bond, a transformation traditionally catalyzed by expensive precious metals. This recent focus on alternative transition metals has enabled growth in fundamental methods in organoboron chemistry. This review surveys the current state-of-the-art in the use of first-row d-block element-based catalysts for the formation of carbon-boron bonds.

Saturated Boronic Acids, Boronates, and Trifluoroborates: An Update on Their Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry

This review discusses recent advances in the chemistry of saturated boronic acids, boronates, and trifluoroborates. Applications of the title compounds in the design of boron-containing drugs are surveyed, with special emphasis on α-amino boronic derivatives. A general overview of saturated boronic compounds as modern tools to construct C(sp³ )-C and C(sp³ )-heteroatom bonds is given, including recent developments in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Chan-Lam cross-couplings, single-electron-transfer processes including metallo- and organocatalytic photoredox reactions, and transformations of boron "ate" complexes. Finally, an attempt to summarize the current state of the art in the synthesis of saturated boronic acids, boronates, and trifluoroborates is made, with a brief mention of the "classical" methods (transmetallation of organolithium/magnesium reagents with boron species, anti-Markovnikov hydroboration of alkenes, and the modification of alkenyl boron compounds) and a special focus on recent methodologies (boronation of alkyl (pseudo)halides, derivatives of carboxylic acids, alcohols, and primary amines, boronative C-H activation, novel approaches to alkene hydroboration, and 1,2-metallate-type rearrangements).

Copper-catalyzed borofunctionalization of styrenes with B2pin2 and CO

The construction of structurally complexed and high-value chemical molecules from simple and readily available feedstocks is a long-standing challenge to chemists. Here, we describe a copper-catalyzed borofunctionalization of styrenes with B₂pin₂ and carbon monoxide. A set of new sodium cyclic borates were obtained with NaO^tBu as the base. These unique sodium cyclic borates can be easily converted into a variety of multifunctional β-boryl vinyl esters, boryl carbonates, β-boryl aldehydes, and boryl vinyl ether. In addition, the procedure also features good functional group tolerance and utilizes CO as the C1 source.

A new copper-catalyzed borofunctionalization of styrenes with B₂pin₂ and carbon monoxide has been developed.

Chain-walking reactions of transition metals for remote C-H bond functionalization of olefinic substrates

Past several decades have witnessed the great evolution of inert C-H bond functionalization reactions as an emerging technique for synthesizing drug molecules, agrochemicals, and functional materials with intricate three-dimensional architectures. Although most activation of "unreactive" C-H bonds was accomplished by exploiting the power of transition metal catalysts, the distant and selective activation of unreactive C-H bonds in an undirected fashion remains one of the critical challenges to this rapidly growing field of organic chemistry. In this context, to meet all these concerns, much more attractive and challenging transition metal catalytic transformations have begun to blossom in recent years with the aid of the chain-walking process. The chain-walking strategy is one of the state-of-the-art techniques in organic synthesis to functionalize the unreactive C-H bonds by allowing the movement of a metal complex along the hydrocarbon chain of the substrate to recognize preferable bond-forming sites. The essential advantage of this strategy is that the bonds are formed only at the places where the catalyst selects for the specific C-H bonds to be cleaved, which not only avoids tedious synthetic procedures for prefunctionalization and the emission of undesirable wastes but also inspires chemists to plan novel synthetic strategies in a completely different manner. Consequently, various C-H bond functionalization reactions have been reported in recent years, employing the vast opportunity provided by this growing field mainly for the acyclic olefinic systems with flexible alkyl chains. Thus, chain-walking reactions allow the reactivity of the reaction centers within the substrates that cannot be realized via the classical mode of reactivity of the substrates. Applying this approach, inexpensive feedstock materials and simple hydrocarbons as an isomeric mixture can be converted to a single isomeric product in a regioconvergent scenario. Simultaneously, the site-selectivity of these reactions can also be switched using a regiodivergent strategy via appropriate tuning of ligands or a slight modification of reaction conditions. Herein, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the chain-walking reactions involving a variety of catalytic systems ranging from the first-row transition metal catalysts to the third-row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation in a concise fashion with the hope for further developments in this area through the appropriate application of the chain-walking reactions.

Catalytic Arylboration of Spirocyclic Cyclobutenes: Rapid Access to Highly Substituted Spiro[3.n]alkanes

A method to achieve the synthesis of highly substituted spirocyclic cyclobutanes is disclosed. The reaction involves the catalytic arylboration of cyclobutenes. Depending on the substitution pattern of the cyclobutene, either a Cu/Pd- or a Ni-catalyzed reaction was utilized. In the case of the Cu/Pd catalyzed reactions, the identification of a Cu-complex for arylboration was crucial to observe high selectivity. The synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated, and the mechanistic details are discussed.

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-vinylboration of styrenes

A novel nickel-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-vinylboration reaction has been developed to afford benzylic alkenylboration products with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities by using a chiral bisoxazoline ligand. Under optimized conditions, a wide variety of chiral 2-boryl-1,1-arylvinylalkanes are efficiently prepared from readily available olefins and vinyl halides in the presence of bis(pinacolato)diboron as the boron source in a mild and easy-to-operate manner. This three-component cascade protocol furnishes exceptional chemo- and stereoselectivity, and its usefulness is illustrated by its application in asymmetric modifications of several structurally complex natural products and pharmaceuticals.

A novel nickel-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-vinylboration reaction has been developed to afford benzylic alkenylboration products with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities by using a chiral bisoxazoline ligand.

Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Ligands Enable Cu-Catalyzed Markovnikov Protoboration and Protosilylation of Terminal Alkynes: A Versatile Portal to Functionalized Alkenes*

Regioselective hydrofunctionalization of alkynes represents a straightforward route to access alkenyl boronate and silane building blocks. In previously reported catalytic systems, high selectivity is achieved with a limited scope of substrates and/or reagents, with general solutions lacking. Herein, we describe a selective copper-catalyzed Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of terminal alkynes that is facilitated by strongly donating cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands. Using this method, both alkyl- and aryl-substituted alkynes are coupled with a variety of boryl and silyl reagents with high α-selectivity. The reaction is scalable, and the products are versatile intermediates that can participate in various downstream transformations. Preliminary mechanistic experiments shed light on the role of CAAC ligands in this process.

Modular Synthesis of a Versatile Double-Allylation Reagent for Complex Diol Synthesis

Double-allylation reagents allow for the construction of highly complex molecules in an expedient fashion. We have developed an efficient, modular, and enantioselective approach towards accessing novel variants of these reagents through Cu/Pd-catalyzed alkenylboration of alkenylboron derivatives. Importantly, we demonstrate novel use of an allylBdan reagent directly in a stereocontrolled allylation without initial deprotection to the boronic ester. These allylation products are employed in a second intermolecular allylation to access complex diol motifs, which has yet to be shown with these types of double-allylation reagents. Overall, the modularity of this approach and the ease in which complex structural motifs can be accessed in a rapid manner signify the importance and utility of this method.

Palladium-Catalyzed Markovnikov Hydroaminocarbonylation of 1,1-Disubstituted and 1,1,2-Trisubstituted Alkenes for Formation of Amides with Quaternary Carbon

Hydroaminocarbonylation of alkenes is one of the most promising yet challenging methods for the synthesis of amides. Herein, we reported the development of a novel and effective Pd-catalyzed Markovnikov hydroaminocarbonylation of 1,1-disubstituted or 1,1,2-trisubstituted alkenes with aniline hydrochloride salts to afford amides bearing an α quaternary carbon. The reaction makes use of readily available starting materials, tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and provides a facile and straightforward approach to a diverse array of amides bearing an α quaternary carbon. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the reaction proceeded through a palladium hydride pathway. The hydropalladation and CO insertion are reversible, and the aminolysis is probably the rate-limiting step.

Copper-catalyzed borylative aminomethylation of C-C double and triple bonds with N,O-acetal

A copper-catalyzed borylaminomethylation of multiple carbon-carbon bonds with N,O-acetal and bis(pinacolato)diboron has been disclosed that offers efficient and expedient access to γ-amino boronates. The products contain a valuable amine and boronate, which are amenable to further elaboration, and have versatile synthetic utilities.

Ligand Protonation Triggers H2 Release from a Dinickel Dihydride Complex to Give a Doubly "T"-Shaped Dinickel(I) Metallodiradical

The dinickel(II) dihydride complex (1K ) of a pyrazolate-based compartmental ligand with β-diketiminato (nacnac) chelate arms (L- ), providing two pincer-type {N3 } binding pockets, has been reported to readily eliminate H2 and to serve as a masked dinickel(I) species. Discrete dinickel(I) complexes (2Na , 2K ) of L- are now synthesized via a direct reduction route. They feature two adjacent T-shaped metalloradicals that are antiferromagnetically coupled, giving an S=0 ground state. The two singly occupied local d x 2 - y 2 type magnetic orbitals are oriented into the bimetallic cleft, enabling metal-metal cooperative 2 e- substrate reductions as shown by the rapid reaction with H2 or O2 . X-ray crystallography reveals distinctly different positions of the K+ in 1K and 2K , suggesting a stabilizing interaction of K+ with the dihydride unit in 1K . H2 release from 1K is triggered by peripheral γ-C protonation at the nacnac subunits, which DFT calculations show lowers the barrier for reductive H2 elimination from the bimetallic cleft.

Electrochemical Oxidative Carbon-Atom Difunctionalization: Towards Multisubstituted Imino Sulfide Ethers

Ethers (C-O/S) are ubiquitously found in a wide array of functional molecules and natural products. Nonetheless, the synthesis of imino sulfide ethers, containing an N(sp² )=C(sp² )-O/S fragment, still remains a challenge because of its sensitivity to acid. Developed here in is an unprecedented electrochemical oxidative carbon-atom difunctionalization of isocyanides, providing a series of novel multisubstituted imino sulfide ethers. Under metal-free and external oxidant-free conditions, isocyanides react smoothly with simple and readily available mercaptans and alcohols. Importantly, the procedure exhibited high stereoselectivities, excellent functional-group tolerance, and good efficiency on large-scale synthesis, as well as further derivatization of the products.

Mechanism-Based Design of an Amide-Directed Ni-Catalyzed Arylboration of Cyclopentene Derivatives

A method for amide-directed Ni-catalyzed diastereoselective arylboration of cyclopentenes is disclosed. The reaction allows for the synthesis of sterically congested cyclopentane scaffolds that contain an easily derivatized boronic ester and amide functional handles. The nature of the amide directing group and its influence on the reaction outcome are investigated and ultimately reflect a predictably selective reaction based on the solvent and base counterion.

Walking metals: catalytic difunctionalization of alkenes at nonclassical sites

Migration of metals along a carbon chain is triggered by two of the most common organometallic elementary steps - β-hydride (β-H) elimination and alkene hydrometallation. This process heralds a new future for creating bonds at carbon sites that fall outside the tenets of the conventional wisdom for reactivity and bond formation, and provides an opportunity to leverage β-H elimination to advance the very reaction of alkene difunctionalization it is intrinsically predestined to disrupt. Almost four decades since its genesis, the early adventure for alkene difunctionalization by metal migration was sporadic, and its later development went on a hiatus primarily due to original impetus on arresting β-H elimination for vicinal alkene difunctionalization. With the recent surge on alkene difunctionalization, efforts have been gradually shifting to harnessing the process of β-H elimination to difunctionalize alkenes at sites other than the classical vicinal carbons, termed henceforth nonclassical reaction sites for pedagogical simplicity. In this review article, we extricate and examine the origin and the development of such reactions over the years. This review covers a wide range of reactions for the difunctionalization of alkenes at geminal (1,1), allylic (1,3) and remote (1,n) carbon sites with a variety of coupling partners. These reactions have enabled engineering of complex molecular frameworks with the generation of new carbon-carbon (C-C)/C-C, C-C/C-heteroatom (halogens, O, N, B) and C-B/C-B bonds. The development of these unique transformations is also presented with mechanistic hypotheses and experimental evidences put forward by researchers. Judged by the number of reports emerging recently, it is now strikingly evident that the field of alkene difunctionalization by metal migration has begun to gain momentum, which holds a great future prospect to develop into a synthetic method of enormous potential.