A research team led by Associate Professor KOH Ming Joo, from the Department of Chemistry, NUS has developed a new method that takes advantage of readily available nickel catalysts containing chiral and sterically bulky ligands known as N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). These catalysts play a crucial role in the reaction process by bringing together and facilitating the union of three different components: alkenes (molecules with carbon-carbon double bonds), organotriflates and a commercially available compound called bis(pinacolato)diboron. This method is unique as there is no requirement for an additional directing group to guide the reaction. The reaction enables access to functionalised alkylboronates bearing tertiary or quaternary β-stereocentres with simultaneous control of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity. This is a collaboration with Professor MA Jun-An and Associate Professor NIE Jing from Tianjin University, as well as Professor SHI Shi-Liang from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The research findings were published in the journal Nature Synthesis.
Prof Koh said, “Our studies show that these enantioselective nickel-catalysed transformations operate through a series of steps involving carbonickelation followed by borylation, which are distinct from previously reported carboboration reactions.”
“As detailed in the research paper, this methodology offers straightforward access to prized precursors that simplify the synthesis of complex bioactive molecules. We believe that our work will facilitate numerous applications in the field of stereoselective organic synthesis,” added Prof Koh.
Looking ahead, the research team is actively designing chiral NHC-nickel catalysts to promote new classes of multicomponent alkene functionalisation reactions that generate synthetically useful compounds. Read the full article here.
Schematic showing the development of a chiral nickel-catalysed system that upgrades cheap alkenes to prized enantioenriched alkylboron compounds. [Credit: Nature Synthesis]
