Decarboxylative Borylation of mCPBA-Activated Aliphatic Acids

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Boryl-Substituted Vinylcyclopropanes via Deborylative Cyclization of Geminal Diboron Compounds

Herein we report a diastereoselective synthesis of boryl-substituted vinylcyclopropanes, a class of highly valuable synthetic building blocks, via deborylative cyclization of geminal diboron compounds. The method exhibits broad functional group tolerance and accommodates diverse alkyl and aryl α-substituents. The diastereoselectivity is primarily governed by the α-substituent (alkyl vs aryl), while olefin geometry in the side chain has a secondary influence. Mechanistic studies indicated distinct pathways: a concerted process for alkyl substrates and a carbanion intermediate for aryl derivatives. Synthetic utility of the products was also demonstrated.

Enantioselective Decarboxylative C(sp3)-C(sp3) Cross-Coupling of Aliphatic Redox-Active Esters with gem-Borazirconocene Alkanes

Asymmetric decarboxylative cross-couplings of carboxylic acids are powerful methods for synthesizing chiral building blocks essential in medicinal chemistry and material science. Despite their potential, creating versatile chiral alkylboron derivatives through asymmetric decarboxylative C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling from readily available primary aliphatic acids and mild organometallic reagents remains challenging. In this study, we present a visible light-induced Ni-catalyzed enantioconvergent C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling of unactivated primary aliphatic acid NHPI esters with gem-borazirconocene alkanes, producing a diverse array of valuable chiral alkylboron building blocks. The method boasts a broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and the ability for late-stage modification of complex drug molecules and natural products with high enantioselectivity, showcasing its synthetic potential. Mechanistic investigations suggest a nickel-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical cross-coupling pathway, wherein the primary radical from a redox-active ester is generated through single-electron reduction with ZrIII species. This represents an unprecedented example of enantioselective radical C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling in the absence of photocatalysts.

Organocatalytic Decarboxylative Borylation of Cyclopropane N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters

A convenient protocol for the two-step organocatalytic decarboxylative borylation of 1,1-disubstituted, 1,2-disubstituted, and bicyclic cyclopropane carboxylic acids via the corresponding N-hydroxyphthalimide esters is described, using tert-butyl or ethyl isonicotinate as an inexpensive and readily available catalyst. The scope of the method was demonstrated, being limited mainly by electron-poor substrates. The reaction sequence showed good scalability (up to 51.5 g) and excellent trans diastereoselectivity (for the case of 1,2-disubstituted substrates). Therefore, the proposed approach is a very promising alternative to other existing (i.e., metal-catalyzed) methods for borodecarboxylation.

Desulfurative Borylation of Small Molecules, Peptides, and Proteins

We introduce a direct conversion of alkyl thiols into boronic acids, facilitated by a water-soluble phosphine, 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), in conjunction with tetrahydroxydiboron (B2(OH)4), acting as both a radical initiator and a boron source. This desulfurative borylation reaction has been successfully applied to various substrates, including cysteine residues in oligopeptides and small proteins, primary alkyl thiols found in pharmaceutical compounds, disulfides, and selenocysteine. Optimization of reaction conditions was undertaken to reduce the formation of unwanted reactions, such as the reduction of alanyl or other primary radicals, and to prevent deleterious reactions between the phosphine and N-terminal amine that lead to methylene adducts by utilizing a buffer containing glycine-glycine (GG) dipeptide. The developed method is characterized by its operational simplicity and robustness. Moreover, its compatibility with various functional groups present in peptides and proteins makes it a promising tool for late-stage functionalization, extending its potential application across a broad spectrum of chemical and biological targets.

Metal-free, photoinduced remote C(sp3)-H borylation

Here, we describe a protocol for the metal-free, photo-induced borylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds distal to an O-oxalate hydroxamic ester functionality. The methodology requires only substrate and bis(catecholato)diboron under light irradiation to effect the desired transformation. A range of linear and cyclic tertiary and secondary borylation products are obtained in good yields and high site-selectivity enabling the late-stage C(sp3)-H borylation of natural product derivatives and drug-like compounds.

Microwave-promoted radical addition/cyclization of biaryl vinyl ketones with diacyl peroxides in water under metal-free conditions

This communication reports an efficient microwave-promoted radical addition/cyclization reaction of biaryl vinyl ketones with diacyl peroxides in water under metal-free conditions. A series of 10-methyl-10-benzyl(alkyl)phenanthren-9(10H)-ones were obtained in high yields with good functional group tolerance.

Electrooxidative Activation of B-B Bond in B2 cat2 : Access to gem-Diborylalkanes via Paired Electrolysis

This report describes the unprecedented electrooxidation of a solvent (e.g., DMF)-ligated B₂ cat₂ complex, whereby a solvent-stabilized boryl radical is formed via quasi-homolytic cleavage of the B-B bond in a DMF-ligated B₂ cat₂ radical cation. Cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory provide evidence to support this novel B-B bond activation strategy. Furthermore, a strategy for the electrochemical gem-diborylation of gem-bromides via paired electrolysis is developed for the first time, affording a range of versatile gem-diborylalkanes, which are widely used in synthetic society. Notably, this reaction approach is scalable, transition-metal-free, and requires no external activator.

Photocatalytic direct borylation of carboxylic acids

The preparation of high value-added boronic acids from cheap and plentiful carboxylic acids is desirable. To date, the decarboxylative borylation of carboxylic acids is generally realized through the extra step synthesized redox-active ester intermediate or in situ generated carboxylic acid covalent derivatives above 150 °C reaction temperature. Here, we report a direct decarboxylative borylation method of carboxylic acids enabled by visible-light catalysis and that does not require any extra stoichiometric additives or synthesis steps. This operationally simple process produces CO₂ and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, in terms of high step economy and good functional group compatibility. A guanidine-based biomimetic active decarboxylative mechanism is proposed and rationalized by mechanistic studies. The methodology reported herein should see broad application extending beyond borylation.

General and Selective Metal-Free Radical α-C-H Borylation of Aliphatic Amines

Despite recent developments, selective C(sp3)-H borylation of feedstock amines remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we have developed a general, mild, and photoinduced transition metal- and strong base-free method for α-C(sp3)-H borylation of amines. This protocol features a regioselective 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer process to access key α-aminoalkyl radical intermediate using commercially available easy-to-install/remove iodobenzoyl radical translocating group. Remarkably, this general, efficient, and operationally simple method allows activation of primary and secondary α-C-H sites of a broad range of acyclic and cyclic amines toward highly regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of valuable α-aminoboronates. Utility of this protocol has been demonstrated by its employment in late-stage borylation of structurally complex amines and formal C-H arylation reaction of amines. Thus, it is expected that this operationally simple, general, and practical method will find broad application in organic synthesis and drug discovery.

Base-Mediated Radical Borylation of Alkyl Sulfones

A practical and direct method was developed for the production of versatile alkyl boronate esters via transition metal-free borylation of primary and secondary alkyl sulfones. The key to the success of the strategy is the use of bis(neopentyl glycolato) diboron (B2 neop2 ), with a stoichiometric amount of base as a promoter. The practicality and industrial potential of this protocol are highlighted by its wide functional group tolerance, the late-stage modification of complex compounds, no need for further transesterification, and operational simplicity. Radical clock, radical trap experiments, and EPR studies were conducted which show that the borylation process involves radical intermediates.

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).

Diacyl peroxides: practical reagents as aryl and alkyl radical sources

Diacyl peroxides, which can be easily synthesized from corresponding carboxylic acids, are commonly utilized as radical initiators and one electron oxidants. Under thermal, transition-metal catalysis or irradiation conditions the cleavage of relatively weak O-O bonds would occur followed by CO₂ extrusion to generate the corresponding aryl or alkyl radicals. Thus, diacyl peroxides can be employed as ideal arylating and alkylating reagents in organic synthesis, including C-H/N-H arylation/alkylation, aryl/alkyl radical addition to unsaturated bonds, hetero arylation/alkylation, eliminative arylation/alkylation, perfluoroalkylation etc. Moreover, these arylation/alkylation protocols have been successfully utilized in the synthesis and late-stage functionalization of natural products as well as bioactive molecules. In this review, recent advances on arylation and alkylation using diacyl peroxides as aryl and alkyl radical sources are summarized and discussed.

Progress in the medicinal chemistry of organoboron compounds

The review aims to draw attention to the latest advances in the organoboron chemistry and therapeutic use of organoboron compounds. The synthetic strategies towards boron-containing compounds with proven in vitro and/or in vivo biological activities, including derivatives of boronic acids, benzoxaboroles, benzoxaborines and benzodiazaborines, are summarized. Approaches to the synthesis of hybrid structures containing an organoboron moiety as one of the pharmacophores are considered, and the effect of this modification on the pharmacological activity of the initial molecules is analyzed. On the basis of analysis of the published data, the most promising areas of research in the field of organoboron compounds are identified, including the latest methods of synthesis, modification and design of effective therapeutic agents.

The bibliography includes 246 references.

(o-Phenylenediamino)borylstannanes: Efficient Reagents for Borylation of Various Alkyl Radical Precursors

(o-Phenylenediamino)borylstannanes were newly synthesized to achieve radical boryl substitutions of a variety of alkyl radical precursors. Dehalogenative, deaminative, decharcogenative, and decarboxylative borylations proceeded in the presence of a radical initiator to give the corresponding organic boron compounds. Radical clock experiments and computational studies have provided insights into the mechanism of the homolytic substitution (S_H 2) of the borylstannanes with alkyl radical intermediates. DFT calculation disclosed that the phenylenediamino structure lowered the LUMO level including the vacant p-orbital on the boron atom to enhance the reactivity to alkyl radicals in S_H 2. Moreover, C(sp³ )-H borylation of THF was accomplished using the triplet state of xanthone.

Recent advances in reactions using diacyl peroxides as sources of O- and C-functional groups

This review summarizes recent advances in reactions utilizing diacyl peroxides as O- and C-sources, with examples illustrating how the reactivity of diacyl peroxides in organic reactions can be controlled.

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.

Accessing alkyl boronic esters via visible light-mediated decarboxylative addition reactions of redox-active esters

A visible light-mediated decarboxylative addition reaction for the synthesis of boronic esters based on abundant alkyl carboxylic acid feedstock has been developed.

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.