Borylation Chemistry Research Articles

Lithiation–borylation methodology in the total synthesis of natural products

Robust synthetic methods that show a broad substrate scope are of great utility in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Within this arena, synthetic methods that employ boronic esters are especially useful because they undergo a wide variety of transformations with very high levels of stereoselectivity. In particular, boronic esters can undergo single or multiple homologations using enantioenriched metal carbenoids. The addition of a suitable enantioenriched lithium or magnesium carbenoid to a boronic ester, with subsequent 1,2-migration, gives a homologated boronic ester with high stereocontrol. This process, termed lithiation–borylation, can be iterative, which allows a carbon chain to be extended one atom at a time with remarkable precision. The iterative homologation has been likened to a molecular assembly line and resembles the way nature assembles natural products, for example, in polyketide synthase machinery. The application of lithiation–borylation chemistry to the synthesis of a broad variety of natural products is discussed in this Review.

Boron Lewis Pair Mediated C–H Activation and Borylation

AbstractIn the few past years, the chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) has enabled a plethora of transformations that would otherwise only be possible using transition metal catalysts. Of particular interest are C–H bond activation and borylation reactions, which are the subject of this review. The FLP borylation chemistry is compared with the early borylation methodologies using strongly electrophilic borenium ions. We present the mechanism of the C–H borylation using inter- and intramolecular Lewis pairs, along with some applications of these transformations.1 Introduction2 Electrophilic Borylation3 Intramolecular or Directed Electrophilic Borylation4 Intermolecular FLP-Mediated C–H Borylation5 Stoichiometric Borylation by Intramolecular FLPs5.1 Csp–H Borylation5.2 Csp2–H Borylation5.3 Csp3–H Borylation6 Catalytic Borylation by Intramolecular FLPs7 Catalytic Borylation by Self-Assembled FLPs8 Conclusion

Ligand-Driven Advances in Iridium-Catalyzed sp3 C–H Borylation: 2,2′-Dipyridylarylmethane

AbstractThe field of catalytic C–H borylation has grown considerably since its founding, providing a means for the preparation of synthetically versatile organoborane products. Although sp2 C–H borylation methods have found widespread and practical use in organic synthesis, the analogous sp3 C–H borylation reaction remains challenging and has seen limited application. Existing catalysts are often hindered by incomplete consumption of the diboron reagent, poor functional-group tolerance, harsh reaction conditions, and the need for excess or neat substrate. These challenges acutely affect the C–H borylation chemistry of unactivated hydrocarbon substrates, which has lagged in comparison to methods for the C–H borylation of activated compounds. Herein, we discuss recent advances in the sp3 C–H borylation of undirected substrates in the context of two particular challenges: (1) utilization of the diboron reagent and (2) the need for excess or neat substrate. Our recent work on the application of dipyridylarylmethane ligands in sp3 C–H borylation has allowed us to make contributions in this space and has presented an additional ligand scaffold to supplement traditional phenanthroline ligands.

Staurosporine Analogs Via C-H Borylation.

Staurosporine is among the most potent naturally occurring kinase inhibitors isolated to date and has served as a lead compound for numerous drug development efforts in several therapeutic areas. Herein we report that C-H borylation chemistry provides access to analogs of staurosporine that were previously inaccessible to medicinal chemists who, in the past four decades, have prepared over 1000 semisynthetic staurosporine analogs.

Development of indazole mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and investigation into their selective late-stage functionalization.

The derivatization of pharmaceuticals is a core activity in the discovery and development of new medicines. Late-stage functionalization via modern CH functionalization chemistry has emerged as a powerful technique with which to diversify advanced pharmaceutical intermediates. We report herein a case study in late-stage functionalization towards the development of a new class of indazole-based mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). An effort to modify the electronics of the core indazole heterocycle inspired the use of modern CH borylation chemistry. New reactivity patterns were revealed and studied computationally. Ultimately, a de novo synthesis delivered a key 6-fluoroindazole compound 26, a potent MRA with excellent metabolic stability.

Convergent Synthesis of the NS5B Inhibitor GSK8175 Enabled by Transition Metal Catalysis.

A convergent eight-stage synthesis of the boron-containing NS5B inhibitor GSK8175 is described. The previous route involves 13 steps in a completely linear sequence, with an overall 10% yield. Key issues include a multiday SNAr arylation of a secondary sulfonamide using HMPA as solvent, multiple functional group interconversions after all of the carbon atoms are installed (including a Sandmeyer halogenation), use of carcinogenic chloromethyl methyl ether to install a protecting group late in the synthesis, and an unreliable Pd-catalyzed Miyaura borylation as the penultimate step. We have devised an orthogonal approach using a Chan-Lam coupling between a halogenated aryl pinacol boronate ester and an aryl methanesulfonamide. This reaction is performed using a cationic Cu(I) precatalyst, which can be easily generated in situ using KPF6 as a halide abstractor. High-throughput screening revealed a new Pd catalyst system to effect the penultimate borylation chemistry using simple monodentate phosphine ligands, with PCyPh2 identified as optimal. Reaction progress analysis of this borylation indicated likely mass-transfer rate limitations under standard conditions using KOAc as the base. We have devised a K2CO3/pivalic acid system as an alternative, which dramatically outperforms the standard conditions. This new synthesis proceeds in eight stages with a 20% overall yield.

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane and Beyond: Modern Advances in Borylation Chemistry.

As main-group chemistry, in particular boron chemistry, has expanded and developed over the past 20 years, one reagent has risen to prominence as well. Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C6F5)3 (commonly known as BCF), has demonstrated extensive applications in a wide variety of reactions, including borylation, hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry, Lewis acid catalysis, and more. The high Lewis acidity of B(C6F5)3 is derived from the electronic effects of its three C6F5 rings, rendering it a versatile reagent for a great number of reactions. In addition, the steric bulk of these rings also allows it to function as the Lewis acid in a FLP, granting this reagent yet another synthetically useful application. However, as main-group chemistry continues to evolve as a field, new reagents are required that go beyond BCF, increasing not only the range of reactions available but also the breadth of compounds attainable. Great strides have already been made in order to accomplish this task, and this review will highlight modern advances in boron chemistry relating to borylation reactions. Herein, we will show the recent uses of B(C6F5)3 in borylation reactions while also focusing on current advances in novel borane and borocation usage that eclipses that of the stalwart B(C6F5)3.

Catalytic Borylation using an Air‐Stable Zinc Boryl Reagent: Systematic Access to Elusive Acylboranes

AbstractThe use of borylzinc reagents in palladium‐catalyzed borylation chemistry is described (i.e. a boron analogue of the Negishi coupling), including a one‐pot bench‐top protocol using an air‐ and moisture‐stable bis(boryl)zinc reagent. The steric/electronic properties of the boryl fragment employed enable a systematic method for accessing acylboranes, a rare class of organoboron species with great potential in chemical synthesis. The reactions proceed under mild conditions, use inexpensive commercial sources of palladium, and demonstrate a remarkable functional‐group tolerance.

Catalytic Borylation using an Air-Stable Zinc Boryl Reagent: Systematic Access to Elusive Acylboranes.

The use of borylzinc reagents in palladium-catalyzed borylation chemistry is described (i.e. a boron analogue of the Negishi coupling), including a one-pot bench-top protocol using an air- and moisture-stable bis(boryl)zinc reagent. The steric/electronic properties of the boryl fragment employed enable a systematic method for accessing acylboranes, a rare class of organoboron species with great potential in chemical synthesis. The reactions proceed under mild conditions, use inexpensive commercial sources of palladium, and demonstrate a remarkable functional-group tolerance.

Iridium-Catalyzed Borylation of Secondary Benzylic C–H Bonds Directed by a Hydrosilane

Most functionalizations of C-H bonds by main-group reagents occur at aryl or methyl groups. We describe a highly regioselective borylation of secondary benzylic C-H bonds catalyzed by an iridium precursor and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline as the ligand. The reaction is directed to the benzylic position by a hydrosilyl substituent. This hydrosilyl directing group is readily deprotected or transformed to other functional groups after the borylation reaction, providing access to a diverse set of secondary benzylboronate esters by C-H borylation chemistry.

Meta Halogenation of 1,3-Disubstituted Arenes via Iridium-Catalyzed Arene Borylation

We report the meta halogenation of 1,3-disubstituted arenes to form 3,5-disubstituted aryl bromides and chlorides by using iridium-catalyzed arene borylation chemistry. Iridium-catalyzed borylation of arenes with B2pin2, followed by reaction of the boronic ester with copper(II) bromide or chloride converts arylboronic esters to the corresponding aryl halides. A variety of arenes containing alkoxy, alkyl, halogen, nitrile, ester, amide, and pivaloyl and TIPS-protected alcohols were converted to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted aryl bromides and chlorides in yields ranging from 46% to 85%. In addition, 2,6-disubstituted and 3-substituted pyridines were converted to the 4-halo and 5-halopyridines, respectively. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated by the formal conversion of nicotine to Altinicline in three steps with an overall yield of 61% using meta bromination of nicotine as the first step.

Significance of Borane Tuning in Titanium-Catalyzed Borylation Chemistry

Significance of Borane Tuning in Titanium-Catalyzed Borylation Chemistry