Controllable Regiodivergent Alkynylation of 1,3-Bis(Boronic) Esters Activated by Distinct Organometallic Reagents

1,3-Bis(boronic) esters can be readily synthesized from alkylBpin precursors. Selective transformations of these compounds hold the potential for late-stage functionalization of the remaining C−B bond, leading to a diverse array of molecules. Currently, there are no strategies available to address the reactivity and, more importantly, the controllable regiodivergent functionalization of 1,3-bis(boronic) esters. In this study, we have achieved controllable regiodivergent alkynylation of these molecules. The regioselectivity has been clarified based on the unique chelation patterns observed with different organometallic reagents. Remarkably, this methodology effectively addresses the low reactivity of 1,3-bis(boronic) esters and bridges the gap in radical chemistry, which typically yields only the classical products formed via stable radical intermediates. Furthermore, the compounds synthesized through this approach serve as potent building blocks for creating molecular diversity.     

A Comparative Study of the Relative Stability of Representative Chiral and Achiral Boronic Esters Employing Transesterification

A comparative study of the transesterification of five representative chiral and achiral boronic esters with various structurally modified diols was undertaken to qualitatively understand the factors influencing the relative stability of these boronic esters. Several factors such as chelation, conformation, steric bulk of the substituents, size of the heterocycle, and entropy influence the relative rate of transesterification as well as the stability of the boronic esters. Amongst these boronic esters, pinanediol phenylboronic ester was found to be the most stable boronic ester whereas DIPT boronic ester appeared to be thermodynamically the least stable one. The transesterification with sterically hindered diols was observed to be relatively slow, but afforded thermodynamically more stable boronic esters. Boronic esters derived from cis-cyclopentanediols and the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-exo,exo-2,3-diols are relatively more stable. This study not only presents the qualitative picture of relative stability of various boronic esters, but also provides helpful hints regarding the possible recovery of chiral auxiliaries. Many C ₂-symmetric chiral auxiliaries, such as 2,3-butanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, DIPT, and cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diol, can be retrieved by simple transesterification of the corresponding boronic esters with commercial inexpensive diols, such as pinacol, 1,3-propanediol, and neopentyl glycol.     

Synthesis of polybenzyls by Suzuki Pd-catalyzed crosscoupling of boronic acids and benzyl bromides: Model reactions and polyreactions

The palladium-catalyzed crosscoupling reaction of boronic acids and benzyl bromides can be used successfully for the preparation of benzyls in high yield. This C-C coupling reaction was optimized for the synthesis of polybenzyls by model reactions. Different reaction channels were observed here with meta- and para-bis(bromomethyl)benzenes. The main product with 1,3-bis(chloromethyl)benzene was the corresponding 1,3-dibenzylbenzene, but the main product with 1,4-bis(chloromethyl)benzene was the corresponding biaryl resulting from homocoupling of aromatic boronic acid. 1.3-Linked polybenzyls were synthesized based on the results of the model reactions. M̄_n's of 2 380 corresponding to a DP of 26 were found based on GPC. No structural defects were detected within the limits of detection.     

Direct Cross‐Couplings of Propargylic Diols

[Pd(PPh₃)₄] catalyzes a Suzuki–Miyaura‐like twofold cross‐coupling sequence between underivatized propargylic diols and either aryl or alkenyl boronic acids to furnish highly substituted 1,3‐dienes. Thus, 2,3‐diaryl‐1,3‐butadienes and their dialkenic congeners ([4]dendralenes) are delivered in a (pseudo)halogen‐free, single‐step synthesis which supersedes existing methods. Allenols are also readily formed. Treatment of these single‐ and twofold cross‐coupled products with acid leads to remarkably short syntheses of highly‐substituted benzofulvenes and aryl indenes, respectively.     

A Comparative Study of the Relative Stability of Representative Chiral and Achiral Boronic Esters Employing Transesterification

Summary. A comparative study of the transesterification of five representative chiral and achiral boronic esters with various structurally modified diols was undertaken to qualitatively understand the factors influencing the relative stability of these boronic esters. Several factors such as chelation, conformation, steric bulk of the substituents, size of the heterocycle, and entropy influence the relative rate of transesterification as well as the stability of the boronic esters. Amongst these boronic esters, pinanediol phenylboronic ester was found to be the most stable boronic ester whereas DIPT boronic ester appeared to be thermodynamically the least stable one. The transesterification with sterically hindered diols was observed to be relatively slow, but afforded thermodynamically more stable boronic esters. Boronic esters derived from cis-cyclopentanediols and the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-exo,exo-2,3-diols are relatively more stable. This study not only presents the qualitative picture of relative stability of various boronic esters, but also provides helpful hints regarding the possible recovery of chiral auxiliaries. Many C ₂-symmetric chiral auxiliaries, such as 2,3-butanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, DIPT, and cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diol, can be retrieved by simple transesterification of the corresponding boronic esters with commercial inexpensive diols, such as pinacol, 1,3-propanediol, and neopentyl glycol. This paper is dedicated to the memory of my mentor, the late Professor Herbert C. Brown (1912–2004). Professor Herbert C. Brown deceased on December 19, 2004. The work described herein was carried out at Purdue University during my stay as a post-doctoral research associate     

Modular Synthesis of trans-A2B2-Porphyrins with Terminal Esters: Systematically Extending the Scope of Linear Linkers for Porphyrin-Based MOFs

Differently functionalized porphyrin linkers represent the key compounds for the syntheses of new porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which have gathered great interest within the last two decades. Herein we report the synthesis of a large range of 5,15-bis(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)porphyrin derivatives, through Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of an easily accessible corresponding meso-dibrominated trans-A₂B₂-porphyrin with commercially available boronic acids or terminal alkynes. The resulting porphyrins were fully characterized through NMR, MS, and IR spectroscopy and systematically investigated through UV/Vis absorption. Finally, selected structures were saponified to the corresponding carboxylic acids and subsequently proven to be suitable for the synthesis of surface-anchored MOF thin films.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of 1,5‐Stereogenic Centers through Three‐Carbon Homologation of Boronic Esters

Allylic pinacol boronic esters are stable toward 1,3‐borotropic rearrangement. We developed a Pd^II‐mediated isomerization process that gives di‐ or trisubstituted allylic boronic esters with high E selectivity. The combination of this method with lithiation–borylation enables the synthesis of carbon chains that bear 1,5‐stereogenic centers. The utility of this method has been demonstrated in a formal synthesis of (+)‐jasplakinolide.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of the 1,3-Dienyl-5-Alkyl-6-Oxy Motif: Method Development and Total Synthesis

The 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif is widely found in various types of bioactive natural products. However, present synthesis is mainly non-asymmetric which relied upon different olefination or transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using enantioenriched precursors. Herein, based upon a newly developed enantioselective α-alkylation of conjugated polyenoic acids, a variety of 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif (with E-configured internal olefin) was generated as the corresponding α-adducts in a highly enantioselective and diastereoselective manner. Utilizing 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif as key intermediates, we further demonstrated their synthetic potential by expedient total syntheses of three types of natural products (glutarimide antibiotics, α-pyrone polyketides and Lupin alkaloids) within 4–7 steps.     

Base‐Free Conditions for Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation To Produce Stereochemically Labile α‐Aryl Ketones

The asymmetric arylation of 2,2‐dialkyl cyclopent‐4‐ene‐1,3‐diones with aryl boronic acids was found to be efficiently catalyzed by a chiral diene–rhodium μ‐chloro dimer, [{RhCl((R)‐diene*)}₂], in the absence of bases in toluene/H₂O to give 2,2‐dialkyl 4‐aryl cyclopentane‐1,3‐diones in high yields with high enantioselectivity. Such compounds can not be obtained with high enantiomeric purity under the standard basic conditions used for rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric arylation because the α‐aryl ketone products undergo racemization under the basic conditions.     

Asymmetric α-Acetoxylation of Carboxylic Esters. Preliminary Communication

Using the readily accessible chiral auxiliaries 1 – 3 the sulfonamide-shielded O-silylated esters 5 underwent π-face-selective α-acetoxylation on successive treatment with Pb(OAc)₄ and NEt₃ HF to give after recrystallization α-acetoxy ester 6 in 55–67% yields and in 95–100% d.e. Starting from conjugated enoates addition of RCu and subsequent acetoxylation 10 → 11 → 12 yielded α,β-bifunctionalized esters 12 with >95% configurational control at both C_α and C_β. Nondestructive removal of the auxiliary ( 6 → 7 , 6 → 8 and 12 → 13 ) gave either α-hydroxycarboxylic acids or terminal α-glycols in high enantiomeric purity. The prepared glycols 8c and 13a are key intermediates for previously reported syntheses of the natural products 16 and 17 , respectively.     

A Dynamic Thermodynamic Resolution Strategy for the Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Streptonigrin

We report that axially chiral biaryl boronic esters can be generated with control of atroposelectivity by a Binol-mediated dynamic thermodynamic resolution process. These intermediates can be progressed to enantioenriched products through stereoretentive functionalization of the carbon–boron bond. Finally, we have exploited this method in the first highly stereoselective total synthesis of P-streptonigrin.     

Substrate‐Controlled Asymmetric Total Syntheses of Microcladallenes A,B, and C Based on the Proposed Structures

Substrate‐controlled asymmetric total syntheses of (+)‐microcladallenes A, B, and C have been accomplished based on the proposed structures. The syntheses of microcladallenes A and B confirmed the structures and absolute configurations of both natural products. However, the synthesis of microcladallene C, which includes seven stereogenic centers and an (R)‐bromoallene in its compact C₁₅ framework, brought the realization that its proposed structure must be revised. The introduction of C12‐bromine into these natural products with retention of configuration relied on TiBr₄‐mediated nucleophile‐assisting leaving group brominations, the stereochemical outcome of which could be attributed, at least in part, to an oxonium or halonium ion formation–fragmentation sequence through intricate neighboring group participation. In addition, the pivotal β‐oriented vicinal cis‐dichloride function in microcladallene C was elaborated through a novel tandem Cl₂‐induced electrophilic cyclization/imidate chlorination process. The positive rotations of these natural products with an (R)‐bromoallene constitute exceptions to Lowe’s rule for reasons yet to be determined.     

Synthesis of Chiral Benzofuran-Derived β-Amino Esters Induced by N-tert-Butanesulfinamide

The benzofuran skeleton is commonly found in a wide variety of natural products that display a wide range of biological activities. For this reason, benzofuran has a high potential for use as a scaffold in both chemical and pharmaceutical syntheses of natural products. This work describes the development of a novel asymmetric synthetic method of benzofuran-derived β-amino esters via K₂CO₃-promoted domino reactions of ortho-hydroxyl aromatic N-tert-butylsulfinyl imines and diethyl bromomalonate. A small library of target compounds was prepared under optimized reaction conditions in moderate to good yields with high distereoselective and enantioselective properties. The newly generated chiral carbon center was of an (S)-configuration as determined by x-ray diffraction.     

Visible-Light-Promoted Reaction of N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters with Vinyl Boronic Pinacol Ester

A novel and easy-to-execute light-driven protocol for the preparation of alkyl boronic acid pinacol esters from vinyl boronate using N-hydroxyphthalimide esters as the potential precursor is described. In this photochemical protocol, the N-hydroxyphthalimide ester's fragmentation generates C-centered radicals, which undergo a radical Michael addition to vinyl boronic pinacol ester furnishing the desired products. A good substrate scope having various functionalities is presented and good to high yields are obtained.     

Rhodium-catalyzed addition of aryl boronic acids to 1,2-diketones and 1,2-ketoesters

The metal complex Rh(acac)(CO)₂ in the presence of dicyclohexylphenylphosphine provides a useful catalyst system for the addition of boronic acids to 1,2-diketones and 1,2-ketoesters. The best yields were obtained when the transformation was performed in DME/H₂O at 80 °C with 4 equiv of the boronic acid. The results discussed herein extend the scope of the addition of arylboronic acids to highly activated diketones and ketoesters. The products of the reaction are useful in the synthesis of natural products containing oxygenation next to esters or ketones.     

Reactions of CF3-substituted boranes with α-diazocarbonyl compounds

Boranes substituted with a CF₃-group can be generated from methyl boronic esters RB(OMe)₂ and Me₃SiCF₃/KF followed by treatment with Me₃SiCl. These boranes are stable only in coordinating solvents, and due to the increased Lewis acidity of boron, react rapidly with α-diazocarbonyl compounds to give the products of transfer of the organic group from boron. Alkyl, aryl, vinyl, and alkynyl boronic esters can be used in this reaction.     

Visible Light Activation of Boronic Esters Enables Efficient Photoredox C(sp2)–C(sp3) Cross‐Couplings in Flow

We report herein a new method for the photoredox activation of boronic esters. Using these reagents, an efficient and high‐throughput continuous flow process was developed to perform a dual iridium‐ and nickel‐catalyzed C(sp²)–C(sp³) coupling by circumventing solubility issues associated with potassium trifluoroborate salts. Formation of an adduct with a pyridine‐derived Lewis base was found to be essential for the photoredox activation of the boronic esters. Based on these results we were able to develop a further simplified visible light mediated C(sp²)–C(sp³) coupling method using boronic esters and cyano heteroarenes under flow conditions.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation of Cyclobutenone Ketals

Complex cyclobutanes are important motifs in both bioactive molecules and natural products, yet their enantioselective preparation has not been widely explored. In this work, we describe rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective additions of aryl and vinyl boronic acids to cyclobutenone ketals. This transformation involves enantioselective carbometalation to give cyclobutyl-rhodium intermediates, followed by β-oxygen elimination to afford enantioenriched enol ethers. Overall, this addition serves as a surrogate for Rh-catalyzed 1,4-additions to cyclobutenone.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of both syn- and anti-3,5-dihydroxy esters: application to 1,3-polyol/alpha-pyrone natural product synthesis

[reaction: see text] We describe a catalytic asymmetric synthesis of both syn- and anti-3,5-dihydroxy esters. The method relies upon catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated imidazolides and amides, using lanthanide-BINOL complexes, and diastereoselective reduction of ketones. The method was applied to the enantioselective syntheses of 1,3-polyol/alpha-pyrone natural products 9a, 9b, and strictifolione (10). The absolute stereochemistry of 9a and 9b was also determined.     

Direct oxidative esterification of toluene with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds catalysed by copper complex supported on magnetic nanoparticles

Toluene oxidation is one of the substantial industrial technologies since oxidized products are industrially very important intermediates. A Fe₃O₄@cysteine@Cu‐catalysed reaction that uses tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant to produce esters from toluene and β‐diketones or β‐keto esters, enolate precursors, has been developed. Oxidative esterification of toluene with 1,3‐dicarbonyl derivatives led to C─O bond formation and direct C─H functionalization.