Synlett 2025; 36(02): 103-109
DOI: 10.1055/a-2338-4544
synpacts

Enantioselective α-Boryl Carbene Transformations

Ming-Yao Huang
,
Shou-Fei Zhu
We thank the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFA1500200), National Natural Science Foundation of China (22301145, 92256301, 92156006, 22221002), the ‘111’ project (B06005) of the Ministry of Education of China, Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin (63231033) and New Corner-stone Science Foundation through the XPLORER PRIZE for financial support.


Abstract

α-Boryl carbenes, which are hybrid structures combining elements of carbenes and boryl groups, represent promising intermediates for constructing organoboron compounds. However, these carbenes are challenging to synthesize and exhibit limited structural diversity. Moreover, their applications in asymmetric transformations remain largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized boryl cyclopropenes as precursors to rapidly synthesize α-Bpin metal carbenes, a novel category of intermediates critical for the synthesis of chiral organoboron molecules. Facilitated by a copper complex modified by a chiral bisoxazoline ligand, these α-boryl carbenes participate in a range of highly enantioselective transfer reactions, including B–H and Si–H insertions, as well as cyclopropanation and cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement processes. This methodology provides access to previously inaccessible, yet highly useful, chiral organoborons, thereby significantly advancing both carbene and organoboron chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Previous Discovery and Our Design

3 Copper Catalyzed Enantioselective α-Boryl Carbene Transfer Reactions

4 Mechanistic Studies

5 Conclusions



Publication History

Received: 18 April 2024

Accepted after revision: 04 June 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
04 June 2024

Article published online:
25 June 2024

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