Transition Metal-Free Catalytic C-H Zincation and Alumination.

C-H metalation is the most efficient method to prepare aryl-zinc and -aluminium complexes that are ubiquitous nucleophiles. Virtually all C-H metalation routes to form Al/Zn organometallics require stoichiometric, strong Brønsted bases with no base-catalyzed reactions reported. Herein we present a catalytic in amine/ammonium salt (Et3N/[(Et3N)H]+) C-H metalation process to form aryl-zinc and aryl-aluminium complexes. Key to this approach is coupling an endergonic C-H metalation step with a sufficiently exergonic dehydrocoupling step between the ammonium salt by-product of C-H metalation ([(Et3N)H]+) and a Zn-H or Al-Me containing complex. This step, forming H2/MeH, makes the overall cycle exergonic while generating more of the reactive metal electrophile. Mechanistic studies supported by DFT calculations revealed metal-specific dehydrocoupling pathways, with the divergent reactivity due to the different metal valency (which impacts the accessibility of amine-free cationic metal complexes) and steric environment. Notably, dehydrocoupling in the zinc system proceeds through a ligand-mediated pathway involving protonation of the ß-diketiminate Cγ position. Given this process is applicable to two disparate metals (Zn and Al), other main group metals and ligand sets are expected to be amenable to this transition metal-free, catalytic C-H metalation.

Borylation-Reduction-Borylation for the Formation of 1,4-Azaborines.

Given the current interest in materials containing 1,4-azaborine units, the development of new routes to these structures is important. Carbonyl directed electrophilic borylation using BBr3 is a facile method for the ortho-borylation of N,N-diaryl-amide derivatives. Subsequent addition of Et3SiH results in carbonyl reduction and then formation of 1,4-azaborines that can be protected in situ using a Grignard reagent. Overall, borylation-reduction-borylation is a one-pot methodology to access 1,4-azaborines from simple precursors.

NacNac-zinc-pyridonate mediated ε-caprolactone ROP.

Herein we report the synthesis, isolation and polymerisation activity of two new zinc compounds based on a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp) ß-diiminate (NacNac) ligand framework with zinc also ligated by an amidate (2-pyridonate or 6-methyl-2-pyridonate) unit. The compounds crystallised as either monomeric (6-Me-2-pyridonate derivative) or dimeric (2-pyridonate) species, although both were found to be monomeric in solution via1H DOSY NMR spectroscopy, which was supported by DFT calculations. These observations suggest that both complexes initiate ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) through a single-site monometallic mechanism. High molecular weight poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) was achieved via exogenous initiator-free ROP conditions with both catalysts. An increase in the 2-pyridonate initiator steric bulk (6-Me- vs. 6-H-) resulted in an improved catalytic activity, facilitating complete monomer conversion within 1 h at 60 °C. Pyridonate end-groups were observed by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, contrasting with previous observations for DippNacNac-Zn acetate complexes (where no acetate end groups are observed), instead this more closely resembles the reactivity of DippNacNac-Zn alkoxide complexes in ROP (where RO end groups are observed). Additional major signals in the MALDI-ToF spectra were consistent with cyclic PCL species, which are attributed to back-biting ring-closing termination steps occuring in a process facilitated by the pyridonate unit being an effective leaving group. To the best of our knowledge, these complexes represent the first examples of pyridonate, and indeed amidate, initated ROP.

Brominated B1-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for the Synthesis of Deep-Red to Near-Infrared Delayed Fluorescence Emitters.

Bromo-functionalized B1-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with LUMOs of less than -3.0 eV were synthesized and used in cross-couplings to form donor-acceptor materials. These materials spanned a range of S1 energies, with a number showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence and significant emission in the near-infrared region of the spectrum. These B1-PAHs represent a useful family of acceptors that can be readily synthesized and functionalized.

Amides as modifiable directing groups in electrophilic borylation.

Amide directed C-H borylation using ≥two equiv. of BBr3 forms borenium cations containing a R2N(R')C[double bond, length as m-dash]O→B(Ar)Br unit which has significant Lewis acidity at the carbonyl carbon. This enables reduction of the amide unit to an amine using hydrosilanes. This approach can be applied sequentially in a one-pot electrophilic borylation-reduction process, which for phenyl-acetylamides generates ortho borylated compounds that can be directly oxidised to the 2-(2-aminoethyl)-phenol. Other substrates amenable to the C-H borylation-reduction sequence include mono and diamino-arenes and carbazoles. This represents a simple method to make borylated molecules that would be convoluted to access otherwise (e.g. N-octyl-1-BPin-carbazole). Substituent variation is tolerated at boron as well as in the amide unit, with diarylborenium cations also amenable to reduction. This enables a double C-H borylation-reduction-hydrolysis sequence to access B,N-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including an example where both the boron and nitrogen centres contain functionalisable handles (N-H and B-OH). This method is therefore a useful addition to the metal-free borylation toolbox for accessing useful intermediates (ArylBPin) and novel B,N-PAHs.

Haloboration of o-Alkynyl Phenols Generates Halogenated Bicyclic-Boronates.

Benzoxaborinines are intermediates en-route to bicyclic boronates that are important active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Herein, the haloboration of o-alkynyl-phenols using BX3 (X=Cl or Br) is disclosed as a route to form C4-X-benzoxaborinines with good functional group tolerance. Computational studies indicated that there are two similar in barrier mechanisms: (i) double alkyne haloboration followed by retro-haloboration; (ii) concerted trans-haloboration involving an exogenous chloride source. The C4-halide in these benzoxaborinines is useful, with a one-pot haloboration-Negishi cross coupling protocol effective to form benzoxaborinines with an alkyl or an aryl at C4. Therefore this method is a useful addition to the toolbox for synthesising bicyclic-boronates that are attracting increasing attention as APIs.

Understanding and Expanding Zinc Cation/Amine Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalyzed C-H Borylation.

[(NacNac)Zn(DMT)][B(C6F5)4], 1, (NacNac = {(2,6- i Pr2H3C6)N(CH3)C}2CH), DMT = N,N-dimethyl-4-toluidine), was synthesized via two routes starting from either (NacNac)ZnEt or (NacNac)ZnH. Complex 1 is an effective (pre)catalyst for the C-H borylation of (hetero)arenes using catecholborane (CatBH) with H2 the only byproduct. The scope included weakly activated substrates such as 2-bromothiophene and benzothiophene. Computational studies elucidated a plausible reaction mechanism that has an overall free energy span of 22.4 kcal/mol (for N-methylindole borylation), consistent with experimental observations. The calculated mechanism starting from 1 proceeds via the displacement of DMT by CatBH to form [(NacNac)Zn(CatBH)]+, D, in which CatBH binds via an oxygen to zinc which makes the boron center much more electrophilic based on the energy of the CatB-based LUMO. Combinations of D and DMT act as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) to effect C-H borylation in a stepwise process via an arenium cation that is deprotonated by DMT. Subsequent B-H/[H-DMT]+ dehydrocoupling and displacement from the coordination sphere of zinc of CatBAr by CatBH closes the cycle. The calculations also revealed a possible catalyst decomposition pathway involving hydride transfer from boron to zinc to form (NacNac)ZnH which reacts with CatBH to ultimately form Zn(0). In addition, the key rate-limiting transition states all involve the base, thus fine-tuning of the steric and electronic parameters of the base enabled a further minor enhancement in the C-H borylation activity of the system. Outlining the mechanism for all steps of this FLP-mediated process will facilitate the development of other main group FLP catalysts for C-H borylation and other transformations.

Synthesis of Electrophiles Derived from Dimeric Aminoboranes and Assessing Their Utility in the Borylation of π Nucleophiles.

Dimeric aminoboranes, [H2BNR2]2 (R = Me or CH2CH2) containing B2N2 cores, can be activated by I2, HNTf2 (NTf2 = [N(SO2CF3)2]), or [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] to form isolable H2B(µ-NR2)2BHX (for X = I or NTf2). For X = [B(C6F5)4]- further reactivity, presumably between [H2B(µ-NMe2)2BH][B(C6F5)4] and aminoborane, forms a B3N3-based monocation containing a three-center two electron B-(µ-H)-B moiety. The structures of H2B(µ-NMe2)2BH(I) and [(µ-NMe2)BH(NTf2)]2 indicated a sterically crowded environment around boron, and this leads to the less common O-bound mode of NTf2 binding. While the iodide congener reacted very slowly with alkynes, the NTf2 analogues were more reactive, with hydroboration of internal alkynes forming (vinyl)2BNR2 species and R2NBH(NTf2) as the major products. Further studies indicated that the B2N2 core is maintained during the first hydroboration, and that it is during subsequent steps that B2N2 dissociation occurs. In the mono-boron systems, for example, i Pr2NBH(NTf2), NTf2 is N-bound; thus, they have less steric crowding around boron relative to the B2N2 systems. Notably, the monoboron systems are much less reactive in alkyne hydroboration than the B2N2-based bis-boranes, despite the former being three coordinate at boron while the latter are four coordinate at boron. Finally, these B2N2 electrophiles are much more prone to dissociate into mono-borane species than pyrazabole [H2B(µ-N2C3H3)]2 analogues, making them less useful for the directed diborylation of a single substrate.

Borylation Directed Borylation of Indoles Using Pyrazabole Electrophiles: A One-Pot Route to C7-Borylated-Indolines.

Pyrazabole (1) is a readily accessible diboron compound that can be transformed into ditopic electrophiles. In 1 (and derivatives), the B⋅⋅⋅B separation is ca. 3 Å, appropriate for one boron centre bonding to N and one to the C7 of indoles and indolines. This suitable B⋅⋅⋅B separation enables double E-H (E=N/C) functionalisation of indoles and indolines. Specifically, the activation of 1 with HNTf2 generates an electrophile that transforms N-H indoles and indolines into N/C7-diborylated indolines, with N-H borylation directing subsequent C7-H borylation. Indole reduction to indoline occurs before C-H borylation and our studies indicate this proceeds via hydroboration-C3-protodeboronation to produce an intermediate that then undergoes C7 borylation. The borylated products can be converted in situ into C7-BPin-N-H-indolines. Overall, this represents a transient directed C-H borylation to form useful C7-BPin-indolines.

Developing organoboranes as phase transfer catalysts for nucleophilic fluorination using CsF.

Despite the general high fluorophilicity of boron, organoboranes such as BEt3 and 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3-BPin are shown herein for the first time, to our knowledge, to be effective (solid to solution) phase-transfer catalysts for the fluorination of certain organohalides with CsF. Significant (up to 30% e.e.) chiral induction during nucleophilic fluorination to form ß-fluoroamines using oxazaborolidine (pre)catalysts and CsF also can be achieved. Screening different boranes revealed a correlation between calculated fluoride affinity of the borane and nucleophilic fluorination reactivity, with sufficient fluoride affinity required for boranes to react with CsF and form Cs[fluoroborate] salts, but too high a fluoride affinity leading to fluoroborates that are poor at transferring fluoride to an electrophile. Fluoride affinity is only one component controlling reactivity in this context; effective fluorination also is dependent on the ligation of Cs+ which effects both the phase transfer of CsF and the magnitude of the [Cs⋯F-BR3] interaction and thus the B-F bond strength. Effective ligation of Cs+ (e.g. by [2.2.2]-cryptand) facilitates phase transfer of CsF by the borane but also weakens the Cs⋯F-B interaction which in turn strengthens the B-F bond - thus disfavouring fluoride transfer to an electrophile. Combined, these findings indicate that optimal borane mediated fluorination occurs using robust (to the fluorination conditions) boranes with fluoride affinity of ca. 105 kJ mol-1 (relative to Me3Si+) under conditions where a signficant Cs⋯F-B interaction persists.

Enhanced N-directed electrophilic C-H borylation generates BN-[5]- and [6]helicenes with improved photophysical properties.

Helicenes are chiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of significant interest, e.g. in supramolecular chemistry, materials science and asymmetric catalysis. Herein an enhanced N-directed electrophilic C-H borylation methodology has been developed that provides access to azaborine containing helicenes (BN-helicenes). This borylation process proceeds via protonation of an aminoborane with bistriflimidic acid. DFT calculations reveal the borenium cation formed by protonation to be more electrophilic than the product derived from aminoborane activation with BBr3. The synthesised helicenes include BN-analogues of archetypal all carbon [5]- and [6]helicenes. The replacement of a CC with a BN unit (that has a longer bond) on the outer helix increases the strain in the BN congeners and the racemization half-life for a BN-[5]helicene relative to the all carbon [5]helicene. BN incorporation also increases the fluorescence efficiency of the helicenes, a direct effect of BN incorporation altering the distribution of the key frontier orbitals across the helical backbone relative to carbo-helicenes.

Two Directing Groups Used for Metal Catalysed Meta-C-H Functionalisation Only Effect Ortho Electrophilic C-H Borylation.

Two templates used in meta-directed C-H functionalisation under metal catalysis do not direct meta-C-H borylation under electrophilic borylation conditions. Using BCl3 only Lewis adduct formation with Lewis basic sites in the template is observed. While combining BBr3 and the template containing an amide linker only led to amide directed ortho C-H borylation, with no pyridyl directed meta borylation. The amide directed borylation is selective for the ortho borylation of the aniline derived unit in the template, with no ortho borylation of the phenylacetyl ring - which would also form a six membered boracycle - observed. In the absence of other aromatics amide directed ortho borylation on to phenylacetyl rings can be achieved. The absence of meta-borylation using two templates indicates a higher barrier to pyridyl directed meta borylation relative to amide directed ortho borylation and suggests that bespoke templates for enabling meta-directed electrophilic borylation may be required.

Haloboration: scope, mechanism and utility.

Haloboration, the addition of B-X (X = Cl, Br, I) across an unsaturated moiety e.g., C[double bond, length as m-dash]Y or C[triple bond, length as m-dash]Y (Y = C, N, etc.), is dramatically less utilised than the ubiquitous hydroboration reaction. However, haloboration of alkynes in particular is a useful tool to access ambiphilic 1,2-disubstituted alkenes. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction is easily controlled and the resulting products have proven to be valuable building blocks in organic synthesis and materials chemistry. This review aims at providing the reader with a brief summary of the historic development and of the current mechanistic understanding of this transformation. Recent developments are discussed and select examples demonstrating the use of haloboration products are given with a focus on the major areas, specifically, natural product synthesis and the development of boron-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (B-PAHs).

Formation of a hydride containing amido-zincate using pinacolborane.

Amido-zincates containing hydrides are underexplored yet potentially useful complexes. Attempts to access this type of zincate through combining amido-organo zincates and pinacolborane (HBPin) via Zn-C/H-BPin exchange led instead to preferential formation of amide-BPin and/or [amide-BPin(Y)]- (Y = Ph, amide, H), when the amide is hexamethyldisilazide or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide and the hydrocarbyl group was phenyl or ethyl. In contrast, the use of a dipyridylamide (dpa) based arylzinc complex led to Zn-C/H-BPin metathesis being the major outcome. Independent synthesis and full characterisation of two LnLi[(dpa)ZnPh2] (L = THF, n = 3; L = PMDETA, n = 1) complexes, 1 and 3, respectively, enabled reactivity studies that demonstrated that these species display zincate type reactivity (by comparison to the lower reactivity of the neutral complex (Me-dpa)ZnPh2, 4, Me-dpa = 2,2'-dipyridyl-N-methylamine). This included 1 performing the rapid deprotonation of 4-ethynyltoluene and also phenyl transfer to α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenone in contrast to neutral complex 4. Complex 1 reacted with one equivalent of HBPin to give predominantly PhBPin (ca. 90%) and a lithium amidophenylzincate containing a hydride unit, complex 7-A, as the major zinc containing product. Complex 7-A transfers hydride to an electrophile preferentially over phenyl, indicating it reacts as a hydridozincate. Attempts to react 1 with >1 equivalent of HBPin or with catecholborane led to more complex outcomes, which included significant borane and dpaZn substituent scrambling, two examples of which were crystallographically characterised. While this work provides proof of principle for Zn-C/H-BPin exchange as a route to form an amido-zincate containing a hydride, amido-organozincates that undergo more selective Zn-C/H-BPin exchange still are required.

Zinc catalysed electrophilic C-H borylation of heteroarenes.

Cationic zinc Lewis acids catalyse the C-H borylation of heteroarenes using pinacol borane (HBPin) or catechol borane (HBCat). An electrophile derived from [IDippZnEt][B(C6F5)4] (IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) combined with N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMT) proved the most active in terms of C-H borylation scope and yield. Using this combination weakly activated heteroarenes, such as thiophene, were amenable to catalytic C-H borylation using HBCat. Competition reactions show these IDipp-zinc cations are highly oxophilic but less hydridophilic (relative to B(C6F5)3), and that borylation proceeds via activation of the hydroborane (and not the heteroarene) by a zinc electrophile. Based on DFT calculations this activation is proposed to proceed by coordination of a hydroborane oxygen to the zinc centre to generate a boron electrophile that effects C-H borylation. Thus, Lewis acid binding to oxygen sites of hydroboranes represents an under-developed route to access reactive borenium-type electrophiles for C-H borylation.

In Vivo Optical Performance of a New Class of Near-Infrared-Emitting Conjugated Polymers: Borylated PF8-BT.

Borylated poly(fluorene-benzothiadiazoles) (PF8-BT) are π-conjugated polymers (CPs) with deep-red/near-infrared (NIR) absorption and emission profiles suitable for in vivo optical imaging. A fully borylated PF8-BT derivative (P4) was encapsulated in pegylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles and compared with a reference NIR-emitting CP (PCPDTBT) or indocyanine green (ICG). All formulations satisfied quality requirements for parenterally administered diagnostics. P4 nanoparticles had higher quantum yield (2.3%) than PCPCDTBT (0.01%) or ICG nanoparticles (1.1%). The signal/background ratios (SBRs) of CP systems P4 and PCPDTBT in a phantom mouse (λem = 820 nm) increased linearly with fluorophore mass (12.5-100 µg/mL), while the SBRs of ICG decreased above 25 µg/mL. P4 nanoparticles experienced <10% photobleaching over 10 irradiations (PCPDTBT: ∼25% and ICG: >44%). In a mouse tumor xenograft model, P4 nanoparticles showed a 5-fold higher SBR than PCPDTBT particles with fluorophore accumulation in the liver > spleen > tumor. Blood chemistry and tissue histology showed no abnormalities compared to untreated animals after a single administration.

Acyl-Directed ortho-Borylation of Anilines and C7 Borylation of Indoles using just BBr3.

Indoles are privileged heterocycles found in many biologically active pharmaceuticals and natural products. However, the selective functionalization of the benzenoid moiety in indoles in preference to the more reactive pyrrolic unit is a significant challenge. Herein we report that N-acyl directing groups enable the C7-selective C-H borylation of indoles using just BBr3 . This transformation shows some functional-group tolerance and notably proceeds with C6 substituted indoles. The directing group can be readily removed in situ and the products isolated as the pinacol boronate esters. Acyl-directed electrophilic borylation can be extended to carbazoles and anilines with excellent ortho selectivity. 4-amino-indoles are amenable to this process, with acyl group installation and directed electrophilic C-H borylation enabling selective formation of C5-BPin-indoles.