Cobalt‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereoselective Hydroboration of Allenes

An efficient pincer‐ligand‐based cobalt‐complex‐catalyzed allene hydroboration affording Z‐allylic boronates is described. The reaction demonstrates an excellent regio‐ as well as Z‐stereoselectivity and a wide substrate scope that tolerates many functional groups. Based on solvent‐assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SAESI‐MS) studies, a rationale for the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroboration involving the highly selective insertion of an allene into the Co?H bond to form Z‐allylic cobalt intermediates is proposed.     

Stereodivergent Hydroboration of Allenes

Full details of a stereodivergent hydroboration of allenes are reported. While hydroboration of an allene with 9‐BBN provided a thermodynamically stable (E)‐allylic alcohol after oxidative work‐up, the reaction of an identical allene with HB(Sia)₂ (disiamylborane) formed a (Z)‐allylic alcohol as the kinetic product. The developed conditions allowed for the synthesis of trisubstituted olefins in a highly stereoselective fashion, which is known to be challenging. The method was also applied to the stereodivergent synthesis of structural motifs such as skipped dienes and allylbenzenes, which are often embedded in biologically active natural products.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Remote C(sp3)−H Borylation of Silyl Enol Ethers

A rhodium-catalyzed remote C(sp³)−H borylation of silyl enol ethers (SEEs, E/Z mixtures) by alkene isomerization and hydroboration is reported. The reaction exhibits mild reaction conditions and excellent functional-group tolerance. This method is compatible with an array of SEEs, including linear and branched SEEs derived from aldehydes and ketones, and provides direct access to a broad range of structurally diverse 1,n-borylethers in excellent regioselectivities and good yields. These compounds are precursors to various valuable chemicals, such as 1,n-diols and aminoalcohols.     

Enantioselective and regioselective nickel-catalyzed multicomponent coupling of chiral allenes, aromatic aldehydes, and silanes

A detailed account of the development of a recently developed, nickel-catalyzed multicomponent coupling of chiral allenes, aromatic aldehydes, and silanes is described. The axial chirality of the allene is transferred completely to the product, a trisubstituted Z-allylic alcohol protected as a silyl ether. A very high preference for sp rather than sp² coupling is observed, and differentially substituted allenes undergo highly site-selective coupling. These transformations represent the first enantioselective multi-component coupling processes of allenes.     

The reaction of allene with β-diketonatoiridium(I) complexes: formation and crystal structure of a new bis-β-allylic derivative of iridium(III)

The reaction of allene with (Hfacac)Ir(η-C₈H₁₄)₂ to give a new bis-η-allylic complex of iridium(III) containing an allene tetramer is described; the X-ray structure of this compound is reported.     

The reaction of allene with dicarbonylchlororhodium: Formation of new π-allylic complexes of rhodium(III)

The reaction of allene with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ to give a new π-allylic complex of rhodium(III) containing an allene dimer is described; the reactions of this complex with PPh₃ and AsPh₃ are reported.     

Aromatische [1,5s]-sigmatropische H-Verschiebungen in Arylallenen

1-Mesityl allene ( 1 ), 1-mesityl-3-methyl allene ( 2 ) and 1-mesityl-3,3-dimethyl allene ( 3 ) rearrange thermally at 150–190° in decane via [1,5s]sigmatropic H-shifts to yield the o-quinodimethanes 4 , which cyclise to give the 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes 5 and 6 and/or undergo [1,7 a]sigmatropic H-shifts to give 1-mesityl-(Z)-buta-1, 3-dienes (Z)- 7 and (Z)- 8 , respectively (Schemes 1,3,4 and 5) in almost quantitative yields. The activation parameters of these isomerisations are given in Table 1. 1-Mesityl-1-methyl allene ( 9 ) isomerises at 190° to give 4,5,7-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene ( 17 ) in 50% yield (Scheme 6). 2′-Isopropylphenyl allene ( 10 ) in decane rearranges at 170° to 1-(Z)-propenyl-2-isopropenyl-benzene ((Z)- 19 , Scheme 7). Deuterium labelling experiments show that the rate determining step is an aromatic [1,5s]sigmatropic hydrogen shift from an sp³- to an sp-hybridised carbon atom. The primary kinetic isotopic effect (k_H/k_D) is 3.45, while the secondary βisotopic effect is 1.20 (Scheme 7 and Table 2).     

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkenylations Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative cyclizations of substrates containing a Z-allylic phosphate tethered to an alkyne are described. These reactions give multisubstituted chiral aza- and carbocycles, and are initiated by the addition of an arylboronic acid to the alkyne, followed by cyclization of the resulting alkenylnickel species onto the allylic phosphate. The reversible E/Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel species is essential for the success of the reactions.     

Solvent‐Dependent Asymmetric Synthesis of Alkynyl and Monofluoroalkenyl Isoindolinones by CpRhIII‐Catalyzed C−H Activation

The asymmetric synthesis of alkynyl and monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones from N‐methoxy benzamides and α,α‐difluoromethylene alkynes is enabled by C?H activation with a chiral CpRh^III catalyst. Remarkably, product formation is solvent‐dependent; alkynyl isoindolinones are afforded in MeOH (up to 86 % yield, 99.6 % ee) whereas monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones are generated in ⁱPrCN (up to 98:2 Z/E, 93 % yield, 86 % ee). Mechanistic studies revealed chiral allene and E‐configured alkenyl rhodium species as reaction intermediates. The latter is transformed into the corresponding Z‐configured monofluoroalkene upon protonation in the ⁱPrCN system and into an alkyne by an unusual anti β‐F elimination in the MeOH system. Notably, kinetic resolution processes occur in this reaction. Despite the moderate enantiocontrol for the formation of the chiral allene, the Z‐monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones and alkynyl isoindolinones were obtained in good enantiopurities by one or two sequential kinetic resolution processes.     

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Cascade Reduction of Pyridines

B(C₆F₅)₃ has been found to be an effective catalyst for reduction of pyridines and other electron-deficient N-heteroarenes with hydrosilanes (or hydroboranes) and amines as the reducing reagents. The success of this development hinges upon the realization of a cascade process of dearomative hydrosilylation (or hydroboration) and transfer hydrogenation. The broad functional-group tolerance (e.g. ketone, ester, unactivated olefins, nitro, nitrile, heterocycles, etc.) implies high practical utility.     

Direct Light-Enabled Access to α-Boryl Radicals: Application in the Stereodivergent Synthesis of Allyl Boronic Esters**

Operationally simple strategies to assemble boron containing organic frameworks are highly enabling in organic synthesis. While conventional retrosynthetic logic has engendered many platforms focusing on the direct formation of C−B bonds, α-boryl radicals have recently reemerged as versatile open-shell alternatives to access organoborons via adjacent C−C bond formation. Direct light-enabled α-activation is currently contingent on photo- or transition metal-catalysis activation to efficiently generate radical species. Here, we disclose a facile activation of α-halo boronic esters using only visible light and a simple Lewis base to enable homolytic scission. Intermolecular addition to styrenes facilitates the rapid construction of highly versatile E-allylic boronic esters. The simplicity of activation permits the strategic merger of this construct with selective energy transfer catalysis to enable the complimentary stereodivergent synthesis of Z-allylic boronic esters.     

Radical trans‐Hydroboration of Alkynes with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes

Hydroboration of internal alkynes with N‐heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC‐boranes) occurs to provide stable NHC (E)‐alkenylboranes upon thermolysis in the presence of di‐tert‐butyl peroxide. The E isomer results from an unusual trans‐hydroboration, and the E/Z selectivity is typically high (90:10 or greater). Evidence suggests that this hydroboration occurs by a radical‐chain reaction involving addition of an NHC‐boryl radical to an alkyne to give a β‐NHC‐borylalkenyl radical. Ensuing hydrogen abstraction from the starting NHC‐borane provides the product and returns the starting NHC‐boryl radical. Experiments suggest that the observed trans‐selectivity results from kinetic control in the hydrogen‐transfer reaction.     

A Facile Synthesis of Vinyl and Allylic 2,2,2-Trifluoroethyl Phosphonates

Condensation of several representative aldehydes with the anion derived from tetrakis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) methylenediphosphonate, a new Wadsworth-Emmons reagent, afforded (Z)-vinyl phosphonates in good yields. The latter, when treated with a catalytic amount of potassium tert-butoxide in DMSO isomerized to the corresponding (E)-allylic phosphonates, which produce E,Z-dienes when reacted with a second aldehyde.     

Highly anti-selective dihydroxylation of 1,2-dialkyl substituted (Z)-allylic amines: stereoselective synthesis of a d-ribo-phytosphingosine derivative

Protection of 1,2-dialkyl substituted (Z)-allylic amines with an N,N-diBoc group resulted in an opposite stereoselectivity in the OsO₄-catalyzed dihydroxylation reactions to that of N-Boc-(Z)-allylic amines. A higher anti selectivity (>10:1) was shown in CH₂Cl₂. An efficient stereoselective synthesis of a tetraacetyl derivative of d-ribo-phytosphingosine was reported using the N,N-diBoc-controlled dihydroxylation from Garner’s aldehyde.     

A novel reaction of allylic alcohols with hexafluoropropene-diethylamine adduct (PPDA) to form 2-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-4-alkenamide

Treatment of allylic alcohols with hexafluoropropene-diethylamine adduct (PPDA) afforded N,N-diethyl-2-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-4-alkenamides which were formed by the Claisen rearrangement of intermediary 2-alkenyl-1-diethylamino-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propenyl ethers. Although (E)-allylic alcohols gave two diastereomeric products in about 1:1 ratio, (Z)-allylic alcohols gave the corresponding product as a single diastereomer.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Remote C(sp3)−H Borylation of Silyl Enol Ethers

A rhodium‐catalyzed remote C(sp³)?H borylation of silyl enol ethers (SEEs, E/Z mixtures) by alkene isomerization and hydroboration is reported. The reaction exhibits mild reaction conditions and excellent functional‐group tolerance. This method is compatible with an array of SEEs, including linear and branched SEEs derived from aldehydes and ketones, and provides direct access to a broad range of structurally diverse 1,n‐borylethers in excellent regioselectivities and good yields. These compounds are precursors to various valuable chemicals, such as 1,n‐diols and aminoalcohols.     

1,2-Carboboration of Arylallenes by In Situ Generated Alkenylboranes for the Synthesis of 1,4-Dienes

We herein report a novel method for the coupling of unactivated alkynes and arylallenes, which relies on an unprecedented and regioselective 1,2-carboboration of the allene by an alkenylborane. The alkenylborane is conveniently prepared in situ by hydroboration of an alkyne with Piers’ borane, i. e., HB(C₆F₅)₂. The boryl-substituted 1,4-dienes that are formed by this carboboration are well-suited for a subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with aryl iodides. This allowed us to develop a three-step, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of aryl-substituted 1,4-dienes. The generality of the reaction was demonstrated by the synthesis of twenty dienes with modular variations of all three reaction partners. The mechanism of the new 1,2-carboboration was investigated using dispersion corrected double-hybrid DFT computations that allowed us to rationalize the chemo- and regioselectivity of this key step.     

Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Allenes and 1,3‐Dienes

The highly selective copper‐catalyzed hydroboration of allenes has been developed. Allylboranes and alkenylboranes were selectively prepared by the judicious choice of catalytic species (copper hydride and boryl copper). Furthermore, two types of alkenylboranes could be selectively synthesized by the choice of an appropriate ligand. Mechanistic studies confirmed that the protonation of a (Z)‐σ‐allyl copper species, which was isolated and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, was a key step in these reactions. Besides allenes, this method is also applicable to the selective hydroboration of 1,3‐diene derivatives to afford allylboranes and homoallylboranes.     

Studies on Chirality Transfer in the [2,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Anions Derived from Trialkylstannylmethyl Allylic Ethers. Stereospecific Synthesis of (2R)-3-Benzyloxy-2-methylpropanol.

Virtually complete chirality transfer is observed in the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of the anion derived from trialkylstanylmethyl ($\text{E}$)- or ($\text{Z}$)-allylic ethers.     

Intrinsically Low Thermal Conductivity and High Carrier Mobility in Dual Topological Quantum Material,n-Type BiTe

A challenge in thermoelectrics is to achieve intrinsically low thermal conductivity in crystalline solids while maintaining a high carrier mobility (μ). Topological quantum materials, such as the topological insulator (TI) or topological crystalline insulator (TCI) can exhibit high μ. Weak topological insulators (WTI) are of interest because of their layered hetero-structural nature which has a low lattice thermal conductivity (κ_lat). BiTe, a unique member of the (Bi₂)_m(Bi₂Te₃)_n homologous series (m:n=1:2), has both the quantum states, TCI and WTI, which is distinct from the conventional strong TI, Bi₂Te₃ (where m:n=0:1). Herein, we report intrinsically low κ_lat of 0.47–0.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in the 300–650 K range in BiTe resulting from low energy optical phonon branches which originate primarily from the localized vibrations of Bi bilayer. It has high μ≈516 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 707 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ along parallel and perpendicular to the spark plasma sintering (SPS) directions, respectively, at room temperature.