Direct Borylation Research Articles

Do we really need ligands in Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation?

Direct borylation of C-H bonds is a privileged strategy to access versatile building blocks and valuable derivatives of complex molecules (late-stage functionalization, metabolite synthesis). This perspective aims to provide an overview and classification of the catalytic systems developed in this fast-growing area of research. Unexpected selectivity differences between two established directed-borylation systems have been discovered using high-throughput experimentation highlighting the importance of classical control experiments in catalysis research.

Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into a Series of CBxOy- Compounds Mediated by LaB3,4O2- Anions: Synergy of the Electron Transfer and Lewis Pair Mechanisms to Construct B-C Bonds.

Converting CO2 into value-added products containing B-C bonds is a great challenge, especially for multiple B-C bonds, which are versatile building blocks for organoborane chemistry. In the condensed phase, the B-C bond is typically formed through transition metal-catalyzed direct borylation of hydrocarbons via C-H bond activation or transition metal-catalyzed insertion of carbenes into B-H bonds. However, excessive amounts of powerful boryl reagents are required, and products containing B-C bonds are complex. Herein, a novel method to construct multiple B-C bonds at room temperature is proposed by the gas-phase reactions of CO2 with LaBmOn- (m = 1-4, n = 1 or 2). Mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations are applied to investigate these reactions, and a series of new compounds, CB2O2-, CB3O3-, and CB3O2-, which possess B-C bonds, are generated in the reactions of LaB3,4O2- with CO2. When the number of B atoms in the clusters is reduced to 2 or 1, there is only CO-releasing channel, and no CBxOy- compounds are released. Two major factors are responsible for this quite intriguing reactivity: (1) Synergy of electron transfer and boron-boron Lewis acid-base pair mechanisms facilitates the rupture of C═O double bond in CO2. (2) The boron sites in the clusters can efficiently capture the newly formed CO units in the course of reactions, favoring the formation of B-C bonds. This finding may provide fundamental insights into the CO2 transformation driven by clusters containing lanthanide atoms and how to efficiently build B-C bonds under room temperature.

Quasi-Homogeneous Photocatalysis in Ultrastiff Microporous Polymer Aerogels.

The development of efficient and low-cost catalysts is essential for photocatalysis; however, the intrinsically low photocatalytic efficiency as well as the difficulty in using and recycling photocatalysts in powder morphology greatly limit their practical performance. Herein, we describe quasi-homogeneous photocatalysis to overcome these two limitations by constructing ultrastiff, hierarchically porous, and photoactive aerogels of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs). The CMP aerogels exhibit low density but high stiffness beyond 105 m2 s-2, outperforming most low-density materials. Extraordinary stiffness ensures their use as robust scaffolds for scaled photocatalysis and recycling without damage at the macroscopic level. A challenging but desirable reaction for direct deaminative borylation is demonstrated using CMP aerogel-based quasi-homogeneous photocatalysis with gram-scale productivity and record-high efficiency under ambient conditions. Combined terahertz and transient absorption spectroscopic studies unveil the generation of high-mobility free carriers and long-lived excitonic species in the CMP aerogels, underlying the observed superior catalytic performance.

Photoinduced Site-Selective Aryl C-H Borylation with Electron-Donor-Acceptor Complex Derived from B2Pin2 and Isoquinoline.

Due to boron's metalloid properties, aromatic boron reagents are prevalent synthetic intermediates. The direct borylation of aryl C-H bonds for producing aromatic boron compounds offers an appealing, one-step solution. Despite significant advances in this field, achieving regioselective aryl C-H bond borylation using simple and readily available starting materials still remains a challenge. In this work, we attempted to enhance the reactivity of the electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complex by selecting different bases to replace the organic base (NEt3) used in our previous research. To our delight, when using NH4HCO3 as the base, we have achieved a mild visible-light-mediated aromatic C-H bond borylation reaction with exceptional regioselectivity (rr > 40:1 to single isomers). Compared with our previous borylation methodologies, this protocol provides a more efficient and broader scope for aryl C-H bond borylation through the use of N-Bromosuccinimide. The protocol's good functional-group tolerance and excellent regioselectivity enable the functionalization of a variety of biologically relevant compounds and novel cascade transformations. Mechanistic experiments and theoretical calculations conducted in this study have indicated that, for certain arenes, the aryl C-H bond borylation might proceed through a new reaction mechanism, which involves the formation of a novel transient EDA complex.

Copper-catalyzed silylation of aryl and alkenyl triflates with silylboronic esters avoiding base-mediated borylation.

Silylation of aryl and alkenyl triflates is found to occur readily with silylboronic esters as a silicon source under copper catalysis. The silyl moieties are exclusively installed into the organic frameworks through the preferential generation of a silylcopper species, wherein base-mediated direct borylation is totally suppressed. The combined use of tri-n-butylphosphine and 4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine as a ligand combination turned out to be indispensable for achieving the high catalytic activity.

Rh-Catalyzed Direct Decarbonylative Borylation of Carboxylic Acids.

Carboxylic acids are abundant, low cost and environmentally friendly, direct convert carboxylic acids into valued-added compounds are in high demand. Herein, we report a Rh(I) catalyzed direct decarbonylative borylation of aryl and alkyl carboxylic acid using TFFH as activator. This protocol features excellent functional-group tolerance and a broad substrate scope including natural product and drugs. A gram-scale decarbonylative borylation reaction of Probenecid is also presented. In addition, the utility of this strategy is highlighted by a one-pot decarbonylative borylation/ derivatization sequence.

Iodine-Catalyzed Borylation of Benzylic Alcohols

Direct borylation of benzylic alcohols has been achieved via an iodine-catalyzed process. This transition-metal-free borylation transformation is compatible with various functional groups and provides a practical and convenient method to access important and useful benzylic boronate esters from widely available benzylic alcohols. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicated that benzylic iodide and radicals are involved as the key intermediates in this borylation reaction.

Mechanistic Insights into the Metal-Free Deoxygenative Borylation of Ketones and Aldehydes with Bis(catecholato)diborane.

The mechanisms of direct deoxygenative borylation of acetone and benzaldehyde with bis(catecholato)diborane (B2 cat2 ) in the solvent N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) are investigated through detailed density functional theory calculations. These calculations show that the isomer 1,2-B2 cat2 in situ generated from 1,1-B2 cat2 induced by DMA is the reactive boron intermediate for the reactions. The addition of the B-B bond of 1,2-B2 cat2 to the C=O bond of acetone or benzaldehyde via a concerted [2σ+2π]-cycloaddition-like transition state is the rate-limiting step for both the triboration reaction of acetone and the monoboration reaction of benzaldehyde. DMA not only acts as the solvent but also promotes the structural isomerization of B2 cat2 , the deoxygenation of acetone to form the vinyl boronate intermediate and subsequent diboration of vinyl boronate with 1,2-B2 cat2 , as well as the protodeboronation of the gem-diboronate intermediate in the deoxygenative borylation of benzaldehyde. The presented computational results can explain the observed experimental facts and provide insight into the roles of the isomeric 1,2-B2 cat2 and the solvent DMA in related reactions.

Photoinduced catalyst-free borylation of alkenyl triflates with Lewis base complexes of boranes

Herein, a direct radical borylation of alkenyl triflates with Lewis base-ligated boranes (LB-BH3) was accomplished, affording a series of α-boryl carbonyl compounds.

Direct deoxygenative borylation

Abstract Direct deoxygenative borylation is a highly enabling chemical transformation considering the attractive synthetic features of oxygenous feedstocks and organoboron compounds. Despite ranking among the synthetic ideality in different settings, such chemical space remained largely uncharted and underutilized until recent decades. This short review will summarize some key advances in the field of direct deoxy-borylation of alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids and organize these contributions based on substrate classes. In each representative, the general features, including reaction conditions, product scopes and mechanistic insights, will be highlighted and discussed.

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.

Divergent Synthesis of Double Heterohelicenes as Strong Chiral Double Hydrogen-Bonding Donors.

We developed a very efficient and expandable divergent approach initiated by a direct electrophilic borylation at phenyl rings to synthesize a series of double heterohelicenes. Their π-extended structures with pristine zigzag nitrogen (N)-boron (B)-nitrogen (N) edges offer them substantial physical properties and strong double hydrogen-bond donating capability. The isolated (P,P) and (M,M) enantiomers exhibit circularly polarized luminescence in response to hydrogen-bonding interactions.

Recent Trends in Group 9 Catalyzed C–H Borylation Reactions: Different Strategies To Control Site-, Regio-, and Stereoselectivity

AbstractOrganoboron compounds continue contributing substantially to advances in organic chemistry with their increasing role as both synthetic intermediates and target compounds for medicinal chemistry. Particularly attractive methods for their synthesis are based on the direct borylation of C–H bonds of available starting materials since no additional pre-functionalization steps are required. However, due to the high abundance of C–H bonds with similar reactivity in organic molecules, synthetically useful C–H borylation protocols demand sophisticated strategies to achieve high regio- and stereoselectivity. For this purpose, selective transition-metal-based catalysts have been developed, with group 9 centered catalysts being among the most commonly utilized. Recently, a multitude of diverse strategies has been developed to push the boundaries of C–H borylation reactions with respect to their regio- and enantioselectivity. Herein, we provide an overview of approaches for the C–H borylation of arenes, alkenes, and alkanes based on group 9 centered catalysts with a focus on the recent literature. Lastly, an outlook is given to assess the future potential of the field.1 Introduction1.1 Mechanistic Considerations1.2 Selectivity Issues in C–H Borylation1.3 Different Modes of Action Employing Directing Group Strategies in C–H Borylation1.4 Scope and Aim of this Short Review2 Trends in C–H Borylation Reactions2.1 Photoinduced Catalysis2.2 Transfer C–H Borylation2.3 Lewis Acid Mediated C–H Borylation2.4 Directed Metalation2.5 Miscellaneous C–H Borylation Reactions2.6 Electrostatic Interactions2.7 Hydrogen Bonding3 Conclusion and Outlook

Direct C-H borylation of vinylporphyrins via copper catalysis.

A method of direct borylation of vinyl-substituted porphyrinoids (porphyrins and chlorins) has been developed based on the copper catalyzed vinylic C-H activation. Ni(II) complexes of meso- and β-vinylporphyrinoids have been transformed to the corresponding pinacolboronated derivatives with good yields and high (E)-stereoselectivity. The method provides an easy and direct access to the valuable synthons which were shown to act as nucleophylic partners in the Suzuki cross-coupling building tetrapyrrole derivatives with π-conjugation through the carbon-carbon double bond.

Metal-catalysed C-H bond activation and borylation.

Transition metal-catalysed direct borylation of hydrocarbons via C-H bond activation has received a remarkable level of attention as a popular reaction in the synthesis of organoboron compounds owing to their synthetic versatility. While controlling the site-selectivity was one of the most challenging issues in these C-H borylation reactions, enormous efforts of several research groups proved instrumental in dealing with selectivity issues that presently reached an impressive level for both proximal and distal C-H bond borylation reactions. For example, in the case of ortho C-H bond borylation reactions, innovative methodologies have been developed either by the modification of the directing groups attached with the substrates or by creating new catalytic systems via the design of new ligand frameworks. Whereas meta and para selective C-H borylations remained a formidable challenge, numerous innovative concepts have been developed within a very short period of time by the development of new catalytic systems with the employment of various noncovalent interactions. Moreover, significant advancements have occurred for aliphatic C(sp3)-H borylations as well as enantioselective borylations. In this review article, we aim to discuss and summarize the different approaches and findings related to the development of directed proximal ortho, distal meta/para, aliphatic (racemic and enantioselective) borylation reactions since 2014. Additionally, considering the C-H borylation reaction as one of the most important mainstream reactions, various applications of this C-H borylation reaction toward the synthesis of natural products, therapeutics, and applications in materials chemistry will be summarized in the last part of this review article.

Rare‐earth metal‐catalyzed hydroboration of unsaturated compounds

AbstractThe reduction of unsaturated compounds is one of the most widely applied transformations in organic synthesis. Aggressive reductants, highly pressurized hydrogen gas, and stoichiometric amount of metal salts used have greatly burdened the environment, stimulating the development of catalytic approaches with milder and greener conditions. In this context, the hydroboration has attracted great attention, and great progress has been achieved in the past decades. Due to the great performance of rare‐earth complexes in numerous organic transformations, such complexes are also employed as catalysts in the hydroboration of different unsaturated compounds. The current review summarized recent works of rare‐earth complexes catalyzed hydroboration of various unsaturated compounds, covering the publications mainly in past 5 years albeit with alkenes as exception. The transformations are mainly classified into two categories: hydroboration of C–C and C–hetero unsaturated compounds, and some closely related works are also discussed, such as rare‐earth catalyzed direct borylation of C–H bonds.

Narrowing the Electroluminescence Spectra of Multiresonance Emitters for High-Performance Blue OLEDs by a Peripheral Decoration Strategy.

Developing organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters with high efficiency and narrowband emissions is crucial and challenging for high-quality organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, three multiresonance TADF emitters DPACzBN1, DPACzBN2, and DPACzBN3 are designed via a peripheral decoration strategy and synthesized through a lithium intermediate cascade borylation reaction (15% yield for DPACzBN1) or a more efficient lithium-free direct borylation reaction (45% yield for DPACzBN2 and 75% yield for DPACzBN3). All the emitters exhibit a similar blue emission with small full-width at half maximum (fwhm) values as low as 20 nm in toluene solutions. The introduction of the diphenylamino moiety into the parent molecule DPACzBN1 can not only maintain the high photoluminescence quantum yields over 90% but also narrow the bandwidth and enhance the rate constant of the reverse intersystem crossing process, as well as suppress the spectral broadening in devices. Benefiting from the excellent TADF properties and good inhibition of spectral broadening, TADF OLEDs based on DPACzBN3 achieve the highest maximum external quantum efficiency of 27.7% and the smallest fwhm of 24 nm among the three emitters.

Frontispiece: Activation of Aryl Carboxylic Acids by Diboron Reagents towards Nickel‐Catalyzed Direct Decarbonylative Borylation

Borylation The activation of aryl carboxylic acids by diboron reagents towards nickel-catalyzed direct decarbonylative borylation is reported by Xiaotai Wang, Weiping Su et al. in their Research Article on page 24510.

Direct deoxygenative borylation of carboxylic acids

Carboxylic acids are readily available, structurally diverse and shelf-stable; therefore, converting them to the isoelectronic boronic acids, which play pivotal roles in different settings, would be highly enabling. In contrast to the well-recognised decarboxylative borylation, the chemical space of carboxylic-to-boronic acid transformation via deoxygenation remains underexplored due to the thermodynamic and kinetic inertness of carboxylic C-O bonds. Herein, we report a deoxygenative borylation reaction of free carboxylic acids or their sodium salts to synthesise alkylboronates under metal-free conditions. Promoted by a uniquely Lewis acidic and strongly reducing diboron reagent, bis(catecholato)diboron (B2cat2), a library of aromatic carboxylic acids are converted to the benzylboronates. By leveraging the same borylative manifold, a facile triboration process with aliphatic carboxylic acids is also realised, diversifying the pool of available 1,1,2-alkyl(trisboronates) that were otherwise difficult to access. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal a stepwise C-O cleavage profile, which could inspire and encourage future endeavours on more appealing reductive functionalisation of oxygenated feedstocks.

An Introductory Overview of C–H Bond Activation/ Functionalization Chemistry with Focus on Catalytic C(sp3)–H Bond Borylation

The direct and selective functionalization of C–H bonds provides novel disconnections and innovative strategies to streamline the synthesis of molecules with diverse complexities. However, despite the significant advances in the elaboration of techniques for C–H activation, the utilization of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds remains challenging. In particular, asymmetric transformation of C(sp3)–H bonds is underdeveloped owing to the lack of catalytic systems that can competently discriminate among ubiquitous C–H bonds in organic molecules. This short review aims to outline the challenges and strategies for the catalytic functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds giving a general and non-exhaustive explanatory approach. Current strategies on the basis of the substrates and reaction mechanisms are summarized in Section 1. Examples of enantioselective C–H bond transformations are then given in Section 2. Finally, in Section 3, an outline of current methodologies towards the direct borylation of C(sp3)–H bonds is described to showcase the importance of developing techniques for catalytic C–H bond chemistry. While we try to cover all excellent reports available in the literature on this topic, any omissions are unintentional, taking note of the most representative examples available.