Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Cyclization of Substituted N-(2-Vinylaryl)benzaldimines

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Coupling of Styrenes and Azadienes

Here we disclose a CuB-catalyzed reaction between aurone-derived α,β-unsaturated imines and styrenes to produce 2-substituted benzofuran derivatives bearing both the γ-boryl functionality and α,β-unsymmetric stereogenic centers. The reaction represents the first transition-metal-catalyzed unsymmetric 1,4-Michael additions of azadienes, which would enrich the arsenal of CuB catalysis in organic synthesis. In addition, the synthetically versatile boron-alkylated products can be elaborated by chemical transformations to useful optically active benzofuran heterocycles.

Base-promoted tandem synthesis of 2-azaaryl indoline

A novel tandem method to synthesize 2-azaaryl indoline promoted by LiN(SiMe3)2 from 2-azaaryl methyl amine and 2-fluoro benzyl bromides was developed. Mechanistic investigation indicated that this tandem cyclization was initiated by selective benzyl C-SN2 substitution followed by an intramolecular SNAr reaction. Diverse 2-azaaryl indoles could also be obtained via simple functional transformations.

Copper-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Borylative Cyclization

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective borylative cyclization with various electrophiles via difunctionalization of unsaturated hydrocarbons is a powerful tool for the generation of interesting boron-containing carbocycles and heterocycles processes involving a chiral organocopper intermediate. Alkenes, allenes, and alkynes are versatile and easily accessible substrates that can be subjected to a wide range of reactions to produce densely functionalized, enantioenriched products. In this chapter, I discuss copper-catalyzed alkenes, allenes, and alkynes borofunctionalization and enantioselective cyclization via chiral organocopper intermediate. Copper-catalyzed enantioselective borylative cyclization and regiodivergent functionalization of alkenes, allenes, and alkynes, as well as the current mechanistic understanding of such processes, are given special attention in this review.

Enantioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed borylative cyclization of enone-tethered cyclohexadienones and mechanistic insights

The catalytic asymmetric borylation of conjugated carbonyls followed by stereoselective intramolecular cascade cyclizations with in situ generated chiral enolates are extremely rare. Herein, we report the enantioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed β-borylation/Michael addition on prochiral enone-tethered 2,5-cyclohexadienones. This asymmetric desymmetrization strategy has a broad range of substrate scope to generate densely functionalized bicyclic enones bearing four contiguous stereocenters with excellent yield, enantioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity. One-pot borylation/cyclization/oxidation via the sequential addition of sodium perborate reagent affords the corresponding alcohols without affecting yield and enantioselectivity. The synthetic potential of this reaction is explored through gram-scale reactions and further chemoselective transformations on products. DFT calculations explain the requirement of the base in an equimolar ratio in the reaction, as it leads to the formation of a lithium-enolate complex to undergo C-C bond formation via a chair-like transition state, with a barrier that is 22.5 kcal/mol more favourable than that of the copper-enolate complex.

Rapidly building molecular structures with both elements of complexity and flexibility is a key goal of organic synthesis. Here the authors show a tandem copper-catalyzed β-borylation/Michael addition on prochiral enone-tethered 2,5-cyclohexadienones, to generate bicyclic borylated products in high yield and enantioselectivity.

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.

Selective hydroboration of equilibrating allylic azides

The iridium(I)-catalyzed hydroboration of equilibrating allylic azides is reported to provide only the anti-Markovnikov product of alk-1-ene isomers in good yields and with good functional group tolerance.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Cyclization for the Synthesis of Quinazolinones

Quinazolinones are common substructures in molecules of medicinal importance. We report an enantioselective copper-catalyzed borylative cyclization for the assembly of privileged pyrroloquinazolinone motifs. The reaction proceeds with high enantio- and diastereocontrol, and can deliver products containing quaternary stereocenters. The utility of the products is demonstrated through further manipulations.

Copper-Catalyzed Borylative Couplings with C-N Electrophiles

Copper-catalyzed borylative multicomponent reactions (MCRs) involving olefins and C-N electrophiles are a powerful tool to rapidly build up molecular complexity. The products from these reactions contain multiple functionalities, such as amino, cyano and boronate groups, that are ubiquitous in medicinal and process chemistry programs. Copper-catalyzed MCRs are particularly attractive because they use a relatively abundant and non-toxic catalyst to selectively deliver high-value products from simple feedstocks such as olefins. In this Minireview, we explore this rapidly emerging field and survey the borylative union of allenes, dienes, styrenes and other olefins, with imines, nitriles and related C-N electrophiles.

Enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate borylation/Mannich cyclization

Strategies to capitalize on enolate intermediates generated from stereoselective conjugate borylation to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems are surprisingly rare despite the ubiquity of Michael acceptors, and the potential to generate valuable scaffolds bearing multiple stereocenters. Herein, we report a mild and stereoselective copper-catalyzed conjugate borylation/Mannich cyclization reaction. This strategy is feasible with a broad range of Michael acceptors, and can be leveraged to generate versatile borylated tetrahydroquinoline scaffolds bearing three contiguous stereocenters. The synthetic potential of these complex heterocycles has been explored through a series of derivatization studies.

Copper-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate borylation across Michael acceptors, with subsequent Mannich-type cyclization, was utilized to construct tetrahydroquinoline scaffolds containing three contiguous stereocenters.

Cation-induced ring-opening and oxidation reaction of photoreluctant spirooxazine-quinolizinium conjugates

Two new spiroindolinonaphthoxazine derivatives with an electron-accepting styrylquinolizinium or styrylcoralyne unit, respectively, were synthesized, and the influence of such an arylvinyl substituent on the chemical and photochemical properties of the compounds was investigated. Specifically, these spirooxazines turned out to be resistant towards the photoinduced merocyanine formation, and the irradiation with light mainly led to photodegradation of the substrates. However, it was shown by colorimetric and fluorimetric screening assays as well as by detailed NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric studies that the addition of particular metal ions (Cu2+, Fe3+, and to a certain extent Hg2+) initially induced a ring-opening reaction that was irreversibly followed by a fast ring closure-deprotonation-oxidation sequence to give styryl-substituted naphthoxazole derivatives as the products quantitatively. For the quinolizinium-substituted spirooxazine derivative, the formation of the respective oxidation product caused the development of a broad absorption band between 425 nm and 500 nm and a new emission band at λfl = 628 nm, so that it may be employed as a selective chemosensor or chemodosimeter for the colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Homopropargyl Amines by Copper-Catalyzed Coupling of Imines, 1,3-Enynes, and Diborons

An efficient, enantio- and diastereoselective, copper-catalyzed coupling of imines, 1,3-enynes, and diborons is reported. The process shows broad substrate scope and delivers complex, chiral homopropargyl amines; useful building blocks on the way to biologically-relevant compounds. In particular, functionalized homopropargyl amines bearing up to three contiguous stereocenters can be prepared in a single step.

A unified approach for divergent synthesis of contiguous stereodiads employing a small boronyl group

Acyclic contiguous stereocenters are frequently seen in biologically active natural and synthetic molecules. Although various synthetic methods have been reported, predictable and unified approaches to all possible stereoisomers are rare, particularly for those containing non-reactive hydrocarbon substituents. Herein, a β-boronyl group is employed as a readily accessible handle for predictable α-functionalization of enolates with either syn or anti selectivity depending on reaction conditions. Contiguous tertiary-tertiary and tertiary-quaternary stereocenters are thus accessed in generally good yields and diastereoselectivity. Based on experimental and computational studies, mechanism for syn selective alkylation is proposed, and Bpin (pinacolatoboronyl) behaves as a smaller group than most carbon-centered groups. The synthetic utility of this methodology is demonstrated by preparation of several key intermediates for bioactive molecules.

Predictable and unified approaches to all possible stereoisomers of acyclic compounds with contiguous stereocentres are rare. Here, the authors disclose a divergent α-functionalization of enolates with either syn or anti selectivity employing a β-boronyl group as a small, directing handle.

Catalytic Stereoselective Borylative Transannular Reactions

Medium-sized carbocycles containing an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as Michael acceptor site and a ketone moiety as internal electrophilic site are ideal substrates to conduct Cu(I)-catalyzed conjugated borylation followed by electrophilic intramolecular trapping that results into a pioneer transannular borylative ring closing reaction. The relative configuration of three adjacent stereocenters is controlled, giving access to a single diastereoisomer for a wide range of substrates tested. Moreover, when a chiral ligand is incorporated, the reaction provides enantioenriched polycyclic products with up to 99 % ee.

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric tandem borylative addition and aldol cyclization

A highly enantioselective asymmetric copper-catalyzed tandem conjugate addition/aldol cyclization of electron-deficient olefins with B₂pin₂ was developed, which provided a rapid access to indanes bearing three consecutive chiral stereogenic centers.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Carbocycles by Cu-Catalyzed Borylative Cyclization of Alkynes with Ketones

A single-pot Cu-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective tandem hydroboration/borylative cyclization of alkynes with ketones for the synthesis of carbocycles is reported. The reaction proceeds via desymmetrization and generates four contiguous stereocenters, including an all-carbon quaternary center. The method provides rapid access to [6,5]- and [5,5]-bicycles and cyclopentane products. Catalyst-controlled diastereoselectivity by selection of bisphosphine ligand is noted. Utility of the products is demonstrated by site- and chemoselective transformations that afford valuable alkenyl and allyl organoborons.

Stereoselective synthesis of all-cis boryl tetrahydroquinolines via copper-catalyzed regioselective addition/cyclization of o-aldiminyl cinnamate with B2Pin2

A copper catalyzed intramolecular 1,2-carboboration of o-aldiminyl cinnamate has been realized in both regio- and stereoselective fashions. This reaction provides a convenient entry to highly valuable and otherwise challenging cis-2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolines carrying a 4-boryl group. An unusual non-Michael addition intermediate or alternatively, a cyclic enolate is proposed to account for the intriguing all-cis configuration in the final products.

Copper-catalyzed diastereoselective synthesis of β-boryl-α-quaternary carbon carboxylic esters

Cu(i)-Catalyzed diastereoselective carboboration of α-alkyl-substituted α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters to produce β-boryl-α-quaternary carbon esters was developed. The carbon skeletons of dialkyl sulfates, primary allyl halides, and benzyl bromides were transferred to the α-position of the substrates to provide products in moderate to good yields with a diastereoselectivity of >95% in most cases. Substrates bearing a β-(hetero)aryl substituent gave higher diastereoselectivities than those bearing a linear β-alkyl substituent. The crystal structure of the potassium trifluoroborate derivative shows that the reactions probably go through a copper(i) enolate intermediate and the diastereoselectivity arises from the electrophilic attack of electrophiles to the less hindered side of the enolates.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Borylated 1-Benzo[ b]azepines

A practical regioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized 1-benzo[ b]azepines by copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization has been developed. The reaction involves borylcupration of a mixture of ( E/ Z)-1,3-dienes, followed by capture of the generated ( Z)-allylcopper species with an imine to produce 7-membered N-heterocycles as single diastereomers. The reaction is applicable to various ( E/ Z)-dienyl arenes with an imine moiety at the ortho-position, including aryl, alkyl, and heterocyclic aldimines, and ketimines, affording borylated 2,3- cis-substituted 1-benzo[ b]azepines in good yields.

Recent metal-catalysed approaches for the synthesis of cyclopenta[b]indoles

The cyclopenta[b]indole scaffold is ubiquitously present in several bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically interesting compounds. Of the numerous methods known for the synthesis of cyclopenta-fused indoles, this review highlights only the metal-catalysed approaches reported from the year 2015 onwards. This review encompasses our own efforts leading to the synthesis of cyclopentannulated indoles, in addition to the seminal contributions of several other researchers.

Cu-catalyzed regioselective borylcyanation of 1,3-dienes

Catalytic regioselective generation of an allyl–Cu complex through Cu–B(pin) (pin = pinacolato) addition to 1,3-dienes followed by reaction with an electrophilic cyanation reagent to afford multifunctional organoboron compounds is presented.