Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of α-Functionalized Acylborons and Borylated Heteroarenes by Nucleophilic Ring Opening of α-Chloroepoxyboronates

Oxazaborolidinones: Steric Coverage Effect of Lewis Acidic Boron Center in Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reactions

It was demonstrated that α-hydroxycarboxamide is an excellent boron-protecting group. The reaction between α-hydroxycarboxamide and organoboronic acids produced stable oxazaborolidinones (OxBs), in which thesp 2 ${{_{{\rm sp}{^{2}}}}}$ -hybridized boron atom was sterically protected by α-hydroxycarboxamide. The alkyl groups of the α-hydroxycarboxamide moiety can dynamically cover the p-orbital of thesp 2 ${{_{{\rm sp}{^{2}}}}}$ -hybridized boron center, creating a small space around the boron atom, allowing for smooth transmetalation by a Pd catalyst and easy deprotection by water. This protecting phenomenon is effective for readily purification, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions with unstable boronic acids and iterative cross-couplings.

A Versatile Route to Acyl (MIDA)Boronates

A modular approach to highly functional acyl (MIDA)boronates is described. It involves the generation of the hitherto unknown radical derived from acetyl (MIDA)boronate and its capture by various alkenes, including electronically unbiased, unactivated alkenes. In contrast to the anion of acetyl (MIDA)boronate, which has not so far been employed in synthesis, the corresponding radical is well behaved and readily produced from the novel α-xanthyl acetyl (MIDA)boronate. This shelf-stable, easily prepared solid is a convenient acyl (MIDA)boronate transfer agent that provides a direct entry to numerous otherwise inaccessible structures, including latent 1,4-dicarbonyl derivatives that can be transformed into B(MIDA) substituted pyrroles and furans. A competition experiment indicated the acyl (MIDA)boronate substituted radical to be more stable than the all-carbon acetonyl radical but somewhat less reactive in additions to alkenes.

Stereodefined polymetalloid alkenes synthesis via stereoselective boron-masking of polyborylated alkenes

Polyborylated-alkenes are valuable polymetalloid reagents in modern organic synthesis, providing access to a wide array of transformations, including the construction of multiple C-C and C-heteroatom bonds. However, because they contain similar boryl groups, many times their transformation faces the main challenge in controlling the chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity. One way to overcome these limitations is by installing different boron groups that can provide an opportunity to tune their reactivity toward better chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity. Yet, the preparation of polyborylated-alkenes containing different boryl groups has been rare. Herein we report concise, highly site-selective, and stereoselective boron-masking strategies of polyborylated alkenes. This is achieved by designed stereoselective trifluorination and MIDA-ation reactions of readily available starting polyborylated alkenes. Additionally, the trifluoroborylated-alkenes undergo a stereospecific interconversion to Bdan-alkenes. These transition-metal free reactions provide a general and efficient method for the conversion of polyborylated alkenes to access 1,1-di-, 1,2-di-, 1,1,2-tris-(borylated) alkenes containing BF₃M, Bdan, and BMIDA, a family of compounds that currently lack efficient synthetic access. Moreover, tetraborylethene undergoes the metal-free MIDA-ation reaction to provide the mono BMIDA tetraboryl alkene selectively. The mixed polyborylalkenes are then demonstrated to be useful in selective C-C and C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. Given its simplicity and versatility, these stereoselective boron-masking approaches hold great promise for organoboron synthesis and will result in more transformations.

Synthesis of α-Boryl Ketones via Hydration or Oxidation of B(MIDA)-Decorated Alkynes

α-Boryl ketones are traditionally challenging targets in organic synthesis. Reported herein is a mild and metal-free synthesis of α-boryl ketones via the hydration or oxidation of N-methyliminodiacetyl boronate (B(MIDA))-decorated alkynes. A new hydration system comprised of AcCl and H₂O in HFIP allows the hydration of arylethynyl B(MIDA)s at room temperature with decent functional group tolerance. An oxidative carbon deletion process of propargylic B(MIDA)s is also developed for the synthesis of aliphatic α-boryl ketones. An intriguing β-boron effect was observed to account for the unique site- and chemoselectivities. The application of the products in the synthesis of borylated heterocycles was demonstrated.

CuCl2 -Catalyzed α-Chloroketonation of Aromatic Alkenes via Visible-Light-Induced LMCT

Here we report a copper-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of α-chloroketones from aromatic alkenes including electron-deficient olefins under visible-light irradiation. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that the peroxo Cu(II) species is the key intermediate and hydroperoxyl (HOO⋅) and chlorine (Cl⋅) radicals can be generated by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT).

Transition-Metal-Free Heterocyclic Carbon-Boron Bond Formation

Heteroaryl boronic acids and esters are extremely important and valuable intermediates because of their wide application in the synthesis of marketed drugs and bioactive compounds. Over the last couple of decades, the construction of highly important heteroaryl carbon-boron bonds has created huge attention. The transition-metal-free protocols are more green, less sensitive to air and moisture, and also economically advantageous over the transition-metal-based protocols. The transition-metal-free C-H borylation of heteroarenes and C-X (X=halogen) borylation of heteroaryl halides represents an excellent approach for their synthesis. Also, various cyclization and alkyne activation protocols have been recently established for their synthesis. The goal of this review article is to summarize the existing literature and the current state of the art for transition-metal-free synthesis of heteroaryl boronic acid and esters.

One-Step Synthesis of Acylborons from Acyl Chlorides through Copper-Catalyzed Borylation with Polystyrene-Supported PPh3 Ligand

We developed a one-step synthesis of acylborons from both readily available acyl chlorides and bis(pinacolato)diboron through copper(I)-catalyzed borylation. Under the reaction conditions using ^tBuOLi, polystyrene-supported triphenylphosphine as a copper ligand was found to promote the borylation of acyl chlorides while suppressing alcoholysis. This method enables the facile synthesis of potassium acyltrifluoroborates.

Copper-Catalyzed Borylation of Acyl Chlorides with an Alkoxy Diboron Reagent: A Facile Route to Acylboron Compounds

Herein, the copper‐catalyzed borylation of readily available acyl chlorides with bis(pinacolato)diboron, (B₂pin₂) or bis(neopentane glycolato)diboron (B₂neop₂) is reported, which provides stable potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) in good yields from the acylboronate esters. A variety of functional groups are tolerated under the mild reaction conditions (room temperature) and substrates containing different carbon‐skeletons, such as aryl, heteroaryl and primary, secondary, tertiary alkyl are applicable. Acyl N‐methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates can also been accessed by modification of the workup procedures. This process is scalable and also amenable to the late‐stage conversion of carboxylic acid‐containing drugs into their acylboron analogues, which have been challenging to prepare previously. A catalytic mechanism is proposed based on in situ monitoring of the reaction between p‐toluoyl chloride and an NHC‐copper(I) boryl complex as well as the isolation of an unusual lithium acylBpinOBpin compound as a key intermediate.

Regiocontrolled allylic functionalization of internal alkene via selenium-π-acid catalysis guided by boron substitution

The selenium-π-acid-catalysis has received increasing attention as a powerful tool for olefin functionalization, but the regioselectivity is often problematic. Reported herein is a selenium-catalyzed regiocontrolled olefin transpositional chlorination and imidation reaction. The reaction outcome benefits from an allylic B(MIDA) substitution. And the stabilization of α-anion from a hemilabile B(MIDA) moiety was believed to be the key factor for selectivity. Broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and generally good yields were observed. The formed products were demonstrated to be valuable precursors for the synthesis of a wide variety of structurally complex organoborons.

HFIP as Protonation Reagent and Solvent for Regioselective Alkylation of Indoles with All-Carbon Centers

The regio- and chemoselective construction of indole bearing an all-carbon center at the C3-position, a versatile bioactive building block, by C(sp²)-C(sp³) formation with olefins has been achieved through utilization of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the protonation reagent and solvent. The catalytic reactions are operationally simple and green compared with previous reports utilizing elaborated olefins and catalysts. This protocol allows for alkylation of a variety of substituted indoles with diverse of styrene type alkenes in excellent yields and with high selectivity. Application of this protocol to the synthesis of drug was pursued and with an improved yield in contrast to previous art. Catalytic kinetics and deuterium-labeling experiments suggest that the rate-determining step involves the protonation of olefin by HFIP to generate carbocation, followed by electrophilic addition to indole derivative.

Preparation of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) from Carboxylic Acids by Copper-Catalyzed Borylation of Mixed Anhydrides

We report the preparation of potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) from widely available carboxylic acids. Mixed anhydrides of carboxylic acids were prepared using isobutyl chloroformate and transformed to the corresponding KATs using a commercial copper catalyst, B₂ (pin)₂ , and aqueous KHF₂ . This method allows for the facile preparation of aliphatic, aromatic, and amino acid-derived KATs and is compatible with a variety of functional groups including alkenes, esters, halides, nitriles, and protected amines.

Acylboronates in Polarity-Reversed Generation of Acyl Palladium(II) Intermediates

We report a catalytic cross-coupling process between aryl (pseudo)halides and boron-based acyl anion equivalents. This mode of acylboronate reactivity represents polarity reversal, which is supported by the observation of tetracoordinated boronate and acyl palladium(II) species by ¹¹B, ³¹P NMR, and mass spectrometry. A broad scope of aliphatic and aromatic acylboronates has been examined, as well as a variety of aryl (pseudo)halides.

Radical Borylative Cyclization of Isocyanoarenes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene Borane: Synthesis of Borylated Aza-arenes

Borylated aza-arenes are of great importance in the area of organic synthesis. A radical borylative cyclization of isocyanoarenes with N-heterocyclic carbene borane (NHC-BH₃) under metal-free conditions was developed. The reaction allows the efficient assembly of several types of borylated aza-arenes (phenanthridines, benzothiazoles, etc.), which are difficult to access using alternative methods. Mild reaction conditions, a good functional-group tolerance, and generally good efficiencies were observed. The utility of these products is demonstrated, and the mechanism is discussed.

Rapid Access to Diverse Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) through Late-Stage Chemoselective Cross-Coupling Reactions

Potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) are opening up new avenues in chemical biology, materials science, and synthetic organic chemistry due to their intriguing reactivities. However, the synthesis of these compounds remains mostly complicated and time-consuming. Herein, we have developed chemoselective Pd-catalyzed approaches for the late-stage diversification of arenes bearing prefunctionalized KATs. These approaches feature chemoselective cross-coupling, rapid diversification, functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and high yields.

Catalytic Synthesis of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) from Boronic Acids and the Thioimidate KAT Transfer Reagent

We report the synthesis of potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of boronic acids and the thioimidate KAT transfer reagent. The combination of widely available aryl- and vinylboronic acids with commercially available thioimidate 1 using catalytic Pd^II and a Cu^II additive enables the preparation of KATs in high yields and with good functional group tolerance. This formal insertion of CO into organoboronic acids can also be applied to boronic acid pinacol esters and potassium organotrifluoroborates using a slightly modified procedure. The cross-coupling can be telescoped into the one-pot synthesis of amides and α-aminotrifluoroborates by exploiting the unique chemistry of KATs and their trifluoroborate iminium (TIM) derivatives.

One-Step Synthesis of Acylboron Compounds via Copper-Catalyzed Carbonylative Borylation of Alkyl Halides*

A copper-catalyzed carbonylative borylation of unactivated alkyl halides has been developed, enabling efficient synthesis of aliphatic potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) in high yields by treating the in situ formed tetracoordinated acylboron intermediates with aqueous KHF₂ . A variety of functional groups are tolerated under the mild reaction conditions, and primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides are all applicable. In addition, this method also provides facile access to N-methyliminodiacetyl (MIDA) acylboronates as well as α-methylated potassium acyltrifluoroborates in a one-pot manner. Mechanistic studies indicate a radical atom transfer carbonylation (ATC) mechanism to form acyl halide intermediates that are subsequently borylated by (NHC)CuBpin.

Formyl MIDA Boronate: C1 Building Block Enables Straightforward Access to α-Functionalized Organoboron Derivatives

Formyl MIDA boronate has been known to be an elusive type of acylboronate that has not been obtained to date. In this work, an approach to the one-pot preparation and chemical transformations of formyl MIDA boronate were developed to provide new types of α-functionalized organoboron compounds. Among them are acylboronate reagents which present boron-substituted analogues of ynones and β-dicarbonyl compounds. The developed synthetic procedures, utilizing formyl MIDA boronate, are tolerant to diverse functional groups, making this reagent an advantageous C₁ building block for extending the scope of organoboron chemistry.

Synthesis of Acylboron Compounds

Acylboron compounds are emerging as versatile functional groups with applications in multiple research fields. Their synthesis, however, is still challenging and requires innovative methods. This Minireview provides an overview on the obstacles of acylboron synthesis and highlights notable advances within the last three years on new strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the formation of acyl-boron bonds.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Acylboranes and Their Widening Applicability

The most common types of acylboranes are acyltrifluoroborates, acyl MIDA-boronates, and monofluoroacylboronates. Because of the increasing importance of these compounds in the past decade, we highlight the recently reported synthetic strategies to access acylboranes. In addition, an expanding array of their applications has been discovered, based on either the ability of acylboranes to enter rapid amide-forming ligations or the retained ketone-like character of the carbonyl group. Therefore, we also describe ground-breaking achievements where acylboranes were successfully put to use, such as their utility in biochemical, material, and medicinal sciences.

Cycloadditions of Alkenylboronic Derivatives

The literature on cycloaddition reactions of boron-containing alkenes is surveyed with 132 references. The data are categorized according to the reaction type ([2+1], [2+2], [3+2], [4+2], and [4+3] cycloadditions). The cyclopropanation and the Diels–Alder reactions of alkenylboronic derivatives have been studied more or less comprehensively, and for some substrates, they can be considered as convenient methods for the rapid regio- and stereoselective construction of even complex cyclic systems. Other types of the cycloadditions, as well as mechanistic aspects of the processes, have been addressed less thoroughly in the previous works.

1 Introduction

2 [2+1] Cycloaddition

2.1 Cyclopropanation

2.1.1 With Methylene Synthetic Equivalents

2.1.2 With Substituted Carbenoids

2.2 Epoxidation

2.3 Aziridination

3 [2+2] Cycloaddition

4 [3+2] Cycloaddition

4.1 With Nitrile Oxides

4.2 With Diazoalkanes

4.3 With Nitrones

4.4 With Azomethine Ylides

5 [4+2] Cycloaddition

6 [4+3] Cycloaddition

7 Conclusions and Outlook

Synthesis of secondary and tertiary amides without coupling agents from amines and potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs)

Although highly effective for most amide syntheses, the activation of carboxylic acids requires the use of problematic coupling reagents and is often poorly suited for challenging cases such as N-methyl amino acids. As an alternative to both secondary and tertiary amides, we report their convenient synthesis by the rapid oxidation of trifluoroborate iminiums (TIMs). TIMs are easily prepared by acid-promoted condensation of potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) and amines and are cleanly and rapidly oxidized to amides with hydrogen peroxide. The overall transformation can be conducted either as a one-pot procedure or via isolation of the TIM. The unique nature of the neutral, zwitterionic TIMs makes possible the preparation of tertiary amides via an iminium species that would not be accessible from other carbonyl derivatives and can be conducted in the presence of unprotected functional groups including acids, alcohols and thioethers. In preliminary studies, this approach was applied to the late-stage modifications of long peptides and the iterative synthesis of short, N-methylated peptides without the need for coupling agents.

Oxidative amidation of potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) and amines via trifluoroborate iminiums (TIMs) delivers amides without coupling agents. This unusual approach to amides can be applied for the late-stage modification of bioactive molecules and for solid-phase peptide synthesis.

Halohydroxylation of alkenyl MIDA boronates: switchable stereoselectivity induced by B(MIDA) substituent

A switchable stereoselectivity in the halohydroxylation of alkenyl MIDA boronates was found. C–B(MIDA) bond hyperconjugation plays the key role.

How to make C–N bonds using boronic acids and their derivatives without transition metals

No need for transition-metal catalysis in amination, amidation, nitration or nitrosation reactions with boron derivatives as reagents.