Organic synthesis chiral boranes

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds is the challenging problem for organic chemists. The synthesis becomes obsolete if the intermediates produce racemic mixtures. The problem is particularly acute when the asymmetric centers do not reside in a rigid cyclic or polycyclic framework. To be able to carry out efficient syntheses of complex molecules, chemists have to control the sense of chirality at each chiral center as it is introduced in the course of synthesis. Monoalkyl- or dialkyl-boranes exhibit a remarkable chemo-, stereo-, and regioselectivity for the hydroboration of unsaturated compounds. This property, coupled with the capability for asymmetric creation of chiral centers with chiral hydroboration agents, makes the reaction most valuable for asymmetric organic synthesis. In some of the cases, however, this has been achieved by diborane itself as shown in the synthesis of monensin by Kishi et al. A stereospecific synthesis of its seven carbon. component has been accomplished by two hydroboration reactions (Eq. 129) 209. ... 

The hydroboration of olefins is a classic reaction in organic synthesis. - Dialkylbo-ranes add rapidly to alkenes in the absence of catalyst. However, dialkoxyboranes, such as catecholborane and pinacolborane, add more slowly to olefins and alkynes. Thus, transition metal complexes could catalyze the addition of dialkoxyboranes to olefins and alkynes without interference from the background reaction. The potential to alter chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, enantioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity has led a munber of groups to develop metal-catalyzed versions of hydroboration. " Enantioselective hydroboration would alleviate the need to use boranes containing stoichiometric amounts of chiral substituents to generate optically active alkylboranes. 

The synthesis of P-chiral phosphines has been achieved throngh the use of ruthenium complexes supported by chiral ligands (Schemes 4.6 and 4.7) [23]. The chemistry was carried ont nnder mild conditions and afforded excellent yields and outstanding selectiv-ities for both mono- and bisphosphines as their borane addncts. A critical parameter in this chemistry was the selection of the base for the chemistry. While common metal alkoxides snch as NaOEt were unsuccessful, increasing the length of the carbon chain increased the solnbility of the alkoxide in organic solvents and promoted the reaction. 

---