Recent advances on transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric tandem reactions with organoboron reagents

One-pot synthesis of symmetrical bis-sulfonyl 2,6-diarylpyridines via BiCl3-catalyzed and K2S2O8-mediated domino annulation of β-ketosulfones and N,N-dimethylacetamide

In this study, BiCl3-promoted and K2S2O8-mediated synthesis of diverse bis-sulfonyl 2,6-diarypyridines was developed via one-pot stepwise (2C + 2C + 1C + 1N) annulation of two molecules of β-ketosulfone and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC). In the entire process, DMAC acts as the synthon of one carbon and one nitrogen in the construction of the pyridine skeleton via cascade formation of single (C-C/C-N) and double (CC/CN) bonds under refluxing DMAC conditions.

Enantioconvergent Cross-Nucleophile Coupling: Copper-Catalyzed Deborylative Cyanation

Organoboron compounds are widely utilized in organic synthesis for their diverse reactivity, modular preparation, and stability compared to other classes of organometallic reagents. While organoboron species are commonly employed as nucleophiles in cross-coupling reactions, their potential as racemic building blocks in enantioconvergent transformations remains largely untapped. Herein, we demonstrate the direct utilization of alkylboronic pinacol esters in intermolecular enantioconvergent transformations. Specifically, this work describes the development and mechanistic study of an enantioconvergent deborylative cyanation enabled by Cu catalysis. This method imparts a high degree of enantioselectivity and tolerates a wide range of common functional groups and heterocycles. The reaction is proposed to proceed through a radical-relay mechanism. Aniline-assisted homolysis of the carbon-boron bond results in prochiral alkyl radicals that are functionalized by in situ generated Cu(II)(CN)2 species in an enantioselective fashion. The Cu(II)(CN)2 intermediate was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and its electronic structure was probed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Computational studies were carried out to corroborate the proposed radical-relay mechanism.

Metal-organic frameworks for organic transformations by photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis

Organic transformation by light-driven catalysis, especially, photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, denoted as photo(thermal) catalysis, is an efficient, green, and economical route to produce value-added compounds. In recent years, owing to their diverse structure types, tunable pore sizes, and abundant active sites, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based photo(thermal) catalysis has attracted broad interest in organic transformations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis for organic transformations. First, the general mechanisms, unique advantages, and strategies to improve the performance of MOFs in photo(thermal) catalysis are discussed. Then, outstanding examples of organic transformations over MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis are introduced according to the reaction type. In addition, several representative advanced characterization techniques used for revealing the charge reaction kinetics and reaction intermediates of MOF-based organic transformations by photo(thermal) catalysis are presented. Finally, the prospects and challenges in this field are proposed. This review aims to inspire the rational design and development of MOF-based materials with improved performance in organic transformations by photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.

Palladium-catalyzed 1,1-aminoxylation of 3-butenoic acid with 2-alkynylanilines

Herein, a palladium-catalyzed 1,1-aminoxylation of 3-butenoic acid and 2-alkynylanilines has been developed, achieving the installation of two distinct heteroatom motifs across an olefin skeleton. The strategy features a high step and atom economy and good functional group tolerance, which outlines an efficient approach for simultaneously building up γ-butylactone and indole skeletons. Notably, an external ligand, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, has been used to succeed in this protocol to effectively suppress the production of indole byproducts.

N-Heterocycle-Editing to Access Fused-BN-Heterocycles via Ring-Opening/C-H Borylation/Reductive C-B Bond Formation

Skeletal editing of N-heterocycles has recently received considerable attention, and the introduction of boron atom into heterocycles often results in positive property changes. However, direct enlargement of N-heterocycles through boron atom insertion is rarely reported in the literature. Here, we report a N-heterocyclic editing reaction through the combination boron atom insertion and C-H borylation, accessing the fused-BN-heterocycles. The synthetic potential of this chemistry was demonstrated by substrate scope and late-stage diversification of products.

The reactivity of alkenyl boron reagents in catalytic reactions: recent advances and perspectives

Recent advances focusing on novel reactivity of alkenyl boron reagents in polar or radical pathways within catalytic reactions by employing transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis have been summarized and discussed.

Solvent-free hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes catalyzed by rhodium-ruthenium nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes

A heterogeneous catalyst consisting of bimetallic rhodium-ruthenium particles immobilized on carbon nanotubes was used in the hydroboration reaction and proved highly effective for a variety of alkenes and alkynes. The reactions were carried out with low catalytic loadings (0.04 mol%), under solvent-free conditions, and at room temperature. In addition, to demonstrate its recyclability, the catalyst was recovered by a simple centrifugation process and reused over 5 consecutive cycles without losing any activity.

DFT mechanistic studies of boron-silicon exchange reactions between silyl-substituted arenes and boron bromides

C-B bond forming reactions are important methodologies in modern synthetic chemistry, since many borylated organic substrates, ranging from alkanes and alkenes to arenes and heteroarenes, are useful intermediates for the synthesis of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic π-conjugated materials. Among numerous borylation methods, C-Si/B-Br exchange reactions have attracted increasing attention in recent years. While experimental exploration has been continually carried out for more than two decades, mechanistic insights into this type of reaction have not yet been clearly established. To address this deficiency of knowledge, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to map out the reaction pathways for a range of boron-silicon exchange reactions between boron tribromide (BBr₃) and trimethylsilyl-substituted arenes (TMSAr). Our computational analyses have disclosed the energetic, structural, and electronic properties for key stationary points on the potential energy surfaces (PES) in both the gas and solution (CH₂Cl₂) phases.

Iridium(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Site-Selective Carbene C-H Insertion during Late-Stage Transformation

C-H functionalization has recently received considerable attention because C-H functionalization during the late-stage transformation is a strong and useful tool for the modification of the bioactive compounds and the creation of new active molecules. Although a carbene transfer reaction can directly convert a C-H bond to the desired C-C bond in a stereoselective manner, its application in late-stage material transformation is limited. Here, we observed that the iridium-salen complex 6 exhibited efficient catalysis in asymmetric carbene C-H insertion reactions. Under optimized conditions, benzylic, allylic, and propargylic C-H bonds were converted to desired C-C bonds in an excellent stereoselective manner. Excellent regioselectivity was demonstrated in the reaction using not only simple substrate but also natural products, bearing multiple reaction sites. Moreover, based on the mechanistic studies, the iridium-catalyzed unique C-H insertion reaction involved rate-determining asynchronous concerted processes.

Hydroelementation of diynes

This review highlights the hydroelementation reactions of conjugated and separated diynes, which depending on the process conditions, catalytic system, as well as the type of reagents, leads to the formation of various products: enynes, dienes, allenes, polymers, or cyclic compounds. The presence of two triple bonds in the diyne structure makes these compounds important reagents but selective product formation is often difficult owing to problems associated with maintaining appropriate reaction regio- and stereoselectivity. Herein we review this topic to gain knowledge on the reactivity of diynes and to systematise the range of information relating to their use in hydroelementation reactions. The review is divided according to the addition of the E-H (E = Mg, B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn, N, P, O, S, Se, Te) bond to the triple bond(s) in the diyne, as well as to the type of the reagent used, and the product formed. Not only are the hydroelementation reactions comprehensively discussed, but the synthetic potential of the obtained products is also presented. The majority of published research is included within this review, illustrating the potential as well as limitations of these processes, with the intent to showcase the power of these transformations and the obtained products in synthesis and materials chemistry.

Selective synthesis of functionalized α,β-multi-substituted α-amino cyclopentanones via an α-iminol rearrangement enabled by Pd-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to nitriles

An efficient approach to construct α, β-multi-substituted α-amino cyclopentanones is described through an α-iminol rearrangement enabled by Pd-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to nitriles.

Chiral aldehyde induced tandem conjugated addition-lactamization reaction for constructing full-substituted pyroglutamic acids

A catalytic asymmetric tandem reaction including a chiral aldehyde catalyzed conjugated addition and an intramolecular lactamization is reported in this work. Under the optimal reaction conditions, various full-substituted pyroglutamic acids...

Gold-catalysed asymmetric net addition of unactivated propargylic C-H bonds to tethered aldehydes

The asymmetric one-step net addition of unactivated propargylic C-H bond to aldehyde leads to an atom-economic construction of versatile chiral propargylic alcohols but has not been realized previously. Here we show its implementation in an intramolecular manner under mild reaction conditions. Via cooperative gold catalysis enabled by a chiral bifunctional phosphine ligand, this chemistry achieves asymmetric catalytic deprotonation of propargylic C-H (pK_a > 30) by a tertiary amine group (pK_a ~ 10) of the ligand in the presence of much more acidic aldehydic α-hydrogens (pKa ~ 17). The reaction exhibits a broad scope and readily accommodates various functional groups. The 5-/6-membered ring fused homopropargylic alcohol products are formed with excellent enantiomeric excesses and high trans-selectivities with or without a preexisting substrate chiral center. DFT studies of the reaction support the conceived reaction mechanism and the calculated energetics corroborate the observed stereoselectivity and confirm an additional metal-ligand cooperation.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Allylation of a Boron-Stabilized Organozinc Reagent

An iridium-catalyzed enantioconvergent coupling of the versatile boron-stabilized organozinc reagent BpinCH₂ZnI with a racemic branched allylic carbonate has been developed here, which differs from our previous work by using 1,1-bisborylmethane through the kinetic resolution process. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, and various chiral homoallylic organoboronic esters could be obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The synthetic practicability of the products was demonstrated by their conversion to other useful families of compounds.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 3-Methyleneindolines via Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Alkynylative Cyclization of N-(o-Alkynylaryl)imines

The first asymmetric synthesis of 3-methyleneindolines from alkynyl imines has been developed via a rhodium-catalyzed tandem process: regioselective alkynylation of the internal alkynes and subsequent intramolecular addition to the imines. The reaction proceeded with unconventional chemoselectivity and provided 3-methyleneindolines with good yields (up to 82% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). Moreover, this transformation also features mild reaction conditions, perfect atom economy, and a broad substrate scope.

Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling Reaction via Benzylpalladium Intermediate

Transition-metal catalyzed multi-component reactions have captured the attention of researchers in organic synthesis and drug synthesis due to their advantages of simple operation, easy availability of raw materials and without separation of intermediates. Among the multi-component reactions, the three-component processes have been developed into effective organic procedures. This personal account reviews our and other group's studies on the development of three-component coupling reaction for the rapid construction of two new chemical bonds simultaneously via benzylpalladium intermediates. Catalyst-switched three-component reactions of benzyl halides, activated olefins, and allyltributylstannane were successfully conducted to produce the corresponding benzylallylation products. Activation and conversion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide via π-benzylpalladium intermediates provide access to a wide range of unsaturated ketones and esters with excellent functional group tolerance. Meanwhile, other methods to produce benzylpalladium intermediates, including Heck insertion of alkenes into arylpalladium complexes, the oxidative addition of benzyl carbonate to palladium complexes and palladium-carbene migratory insertion, were also highlighted.

Asymmetric Petasis reaction for the synthesis of chiral α- and β-butadienyl amines

The Petasis reaction using (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol as the substrate and an activator to construct α- and β-butadienyl amines in optically pure forms was realized, which are otherwise difficult to prepare. The reactions feature a metal-free nature, broad substrate scope, complete regioselectivities (γ-selectivity of pinacol homoallenyl- and isoprenylboronates), and high to excellent chirality induction (up to >20 : 1 dr). The favored nucleophilic addition across the Si-face of the imine intermediate was explained using DFT calculations of the six-membered chair-like transition state.

Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Chiral Secondary Borylalkyl Copper Species

We report the diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of chiral secondary borylalkyl copper species derived from borylalkenes in situ to α,β-unsaturated diesters. In the presence of a chiral bisphosphine-ligated CuH catalyst, the conjugate addition provides a direct access to enantioenriched alkylboron compounds containing two contiguous carbon stereogenic centers in good yield with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >98:2 dr, >99:1 er) by assembling readily available starting alkenyl reagents in a single operation without using preformed organometallic reagents or chiral auxiliaries. The resulting products were used in various organic transformations. The utility of the synthetic approach was highlighted by the synthesis of (-)-phaseolinic acid.

Copper(ii)-catalyzed protoboration of allenes in aqueous media and open air

A copper(ii)-catalyzed internal protoboration of monosubstituted allenes efficiently occurs in water at room temperature and open air to generate 1,1-disubstituted vinyl boronic acid derivatives.

Polymers and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): a potent combination

This review describes the latest polymeric systems used as boron transporters for boron neutron capture therapy.

Understanding the insertion reactions of CO2, aldehyde and alkene into Cu–X (X = B, C, O) bonds

The relative preference of different unsaturated organic molecules (CO2, PhCHO and styrene) for insertion into different Cu–X (X = B, C, O) bonds has been systematically examined with the aid of DFT calculations.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of monofluoroalkenes and gem-difluoroalkenes: advances and perspectives

The latest achievements in the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of both monofluoro- and gem-difluoroalkenes are discussed.

The role of allyl ammonium salts in palladium-catalyzed cascade reactions towards the synthesis of spiro-fused heterocycles

There is a continuous need for designing new and improved synthetic methods aiming at minimizing reaction steps while increasing molecular complexity. In this respect, catalytic, one-pot cascade methodologies constitute an ideal tool for the construction of complex molecules with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. Herein, we describe two general and efficient cascade procedures for the synthesis of spiro-fused heterocylces. This transformation combines selective nucleophilic substitution (S_N2′), palladium-catalyzed Heck and C–H activation reactions in a cascade manner. The use of allylic ammonium salts and specific Pd catalysts are key to the success of the transformations. The synthetic utility of these methodologies is showcased by the preparation of 48 spiro-fused dihydrobenzofuranes and indolines including a variety of fluorinated derivatives.

Synthetic methods aiming at minimizing reaction steps while increasing molecular complexity are highly sought after by organic chemists. Here, the authors report two cascade procedures combining nucleophilic substitution, palladium-catalyzed Heck and C–H activation reactions for the synthesis of spiro-fused heterocycles.

Methane Borylation Catalyzed by Ru, Rh, and Ir Complexes in Comparison with Cyclohexane Borylation: Theoretical Understanding and Prediction

Methane borylation catalyzed by Cp*M(Bpin)_n (M = Ru or Rh; HBpin = pinacolborane; n = 2 or 3) and (TMPhen)Ir(Bpin)₃ (TMPhen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) was investigated by DFT in comparison with cyclohexane borylation. Because Ru-catalyzed borylation has not been theoretically investigated yet, its reaction mechanism was first elucidated; Cp*Ru(Bpin)₃ 1-Ru is an active species, and Cp*Ru(Bpin)₃(H)(CH₃) 4-Ru is a key intermediate. In 4-Ru, the Ru is understood to have an ambiguous oxidation state between +IV and +VI because it has a H··Bpin bonding interaction with a bond order of about 0.5. Methane borylation occurs through oxidative addition of methane C-H bond followed by reductive elimination of borylmethane in all of these catalysts. The catalytic activity for methane borylation increases following the order Cp*Ru(Bpin)₃ < (TMPhen)Ir(Bpin)₃ < Cp*Rh(Bpin)₂. Cyclohexane borylation occurs in the same mechanism except for the presence of isomerization of a key intermediate. Chemoselectivity of methane over cyclohexane increases following the order Ir < Ru < Rh. In all of these catalysts, the rate-determining step (RDS) of cyclohexane borylation needs a larger ΔG°^‡ than the RDS of methane borylation because the more bulky cyclohexyl group induces larger steric repulsion with the ligand than methyl. One reason for the worse chemoselectivity of the Ir catalyst is its less congested transition state of the reductive elimination of borylcyclohexane. Herein, use of a strongly electron-donating ligand consisting of pyridine and N-heterocyclic carbene with bulky substituents is computationally proposed as a good ligand for the Ir catalyst; actually, the Ir complex of this ligand is calculated to be more active and more chemoselective than Cp*Rh(Bpin)₂ for methane borylation.

Pd-Senphos Catalyzed trans-Selective Cyanoboration of 1,3-Enynes

The first trans-selective cyanoboration reaction of an alkyne, specifically a 1,3-enyne, is described. The reported palladium-catalyzed cyanoboration of 1,3-enynes is site-, regio-, and diastereoselective, and is uniquely enabled by the 1,4-azaborine-based Senphos ligand structure. Tetra-substituted alkenyl nitriles are obtained providing useful boron-dienenitrile building blocks that can be further functionalized. The utility of our method has been demonstrated with the synthesis of Satigrel, an anti-platelet aggregating agent.

Catalytic asymmetric aldehyde prenylation and application in the total synthesis of (-)-rosiridol and (-)-bifurcadiol

Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric aldehyde prenylation has been established using an α,α-dimethyl allyl boronic ester. The transformation provides expedient access to a wide array of aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-substituted alkenyl and primary and secondary aliphatic homoprenyl alcohols with excellent asymmetric induction. The utility of this asymmetric catalysis strategy has been demonstrated through a short and efficient total synthesis of the two natural products (-)-rosiridol and (-)-bifurcadiol.

BINOL derivatives-catalysed enantioselective allylboration of isatins: application to the synthesis of (R)-chimonamidine

The asymmetric synthesis of the 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindole skeleton was accomplished in yields up to 99% via a metal-free and enantioselective allylation of isatins (90-96% ee) using BINOL derivatives as catalysts and an optimized allylboronate. This methodology was applied at a gram-scale to the synthesis of the natural product (R)-chimonamidine.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed General Petasis Allylation and Isoprenylation of Unactivated Ketones

Brønsted acid-catalyzed general Petasis allylation and isoprenylation of unactivated ketones were developed by using o-hydroxyaniline and the corresponding pinacolyl boronic esters. This robust methodology provided access to a broad variety of quaternary homoallylic amines and dienyl amines in high yields, proved to be applicable to a gram-scale synthesis, and allowed the synthesis of a potentially bioactive quaternary homoallylic aminodiol.

Asymmetric copper-catalyzed fluorination of cyclic β-keto esters in a continuous-flow microreactor

A highly enantioselective homogeneous fluorination of cyclic β-keto esters catalyzed by diphenylamine linked bis(oxazoline)-Cu(OTf)2 complexes has been established in a continuous flow microreactor. The microreactor allowed an efficient transformation with reaction times ranging from 0.5 to 20 min, and the desired products were afforded in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) at a low catalyst loading of 1 mol%.

Copper(i)/DM-SEGPHOS-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate boration to α-alkylidene-γ-lactams

A combination of CuCl and DM-SEGPHOS catalyst system has allowed the development of highly enantioselective and diastereoselective conjugate addition of bis(pinacolato)diboron to α-alkylidene-γ-lactams.

Recent progress of 1,1-difunctionalization of olefins

Olefins are a very important class of compounds and broadly used in the construction of various synthetic building blocks and practical industrial production. The difunctionalization of olefins provides one of the most powerful methods for the C-C or C-X bond formation with a rapid increase of the molecular complexity and synthetic value economically and effectively. Compared with the vigorous growth and abundant achievements of 1,2-difunctionalization of olefins, 1,1-difunctionalization is a relatively emerging and inadequately exploited research direction, despite being tremendously attractive from synthetic perspectives. In this minireview, we provide a brief overview of the advancements of 1,1-difunctionalization of olefins in the past twenty years, and prospects of future developments.