Volume 63, Issue 51 e202412368
Communication

Selective Hydroboration of C−C Single Bonds without Transition-Metal Catalysis

Dr. Sida Li

Dr. Sida Li

State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000 P. R. China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 P. R. China

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Dr. Chaopeng Hu

Dr. Chaopeng Hu

Department of Chemistry and Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 P. R. China

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Prof. Dr. Liu Leo Liu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Liu Leo Liu

Department of Chemistry and Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 P. R. China

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Prof. Dr. Lipeng Wu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Lipeng Wu

State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000 P. R. China

College of Material Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121 P. R. China

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In memory of Prof. Ian Manners
First published: 01 August 2024

Graphical Abstract

We present a general system for the hydroboration of C−C single bonds without transition-metal catalysts. Our strategy surpasses the transition-metal systems regarding chemo- and regioselectivities, substrate scopes, or yields. Mechanistic studies, DFT, and IBO calculations revealed a hydroborane-promoted C−C bond cleavage and a hydride shift reaction pathway. The key role of the carbonyl group and the nitrogen atom of the amide was disclosed.

Abstract

Selective hydroboration of C−C single bonds presents a fundamental challenge in the chemical industry. Previously, only catalytic systems utilizing precious metals Ir and Rh, in conjunction with N- and P- ligands, could achieve this, ensuring bond cleavage and selectivity. In sharp contrast, we discovered an unprecedented and general transition-metal-free system for the hydroboration of C−C single bonds. This methodology is transition-metal and ligand-free and surpasses the transition-metal systems regarding chemo- and regioselectivities, substrate versatility, or yields. In addition, our system tolerates various functional groups such as Ar−X (X=halides), heterocyclic rings, ketones, esters, amides, nitro, nitriles, and C=C double bonds, which are typically susceptible to hydroboration in the presence of transition metals. As a result, a diverse range of γ-boronated amines with varied structures and functions has been readily obtained. Experimental mechanistic studies, density functional theory (DFT), and intrinsic bond orbital (IBO) calculations unveiled a hydroborane-promoted C−C bond cleavage and hydride-shift reaction pathway. The carbonyl group of the amide suppresses dehydrogenation between the free N−H and hydroborane. The lone pair on the nitrogen of the amide facilitates the cleavage of C−C bonds in cyclopropanes.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

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