Visible-Light-Induced trans-Hydroboration of Diaryl Alkynes Utilizing Excited State of Borate Complexes

Org Lett. 2024 Mar 22;26(11):2180-2185. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00268. Epub 2024 Mar 11.

Abstract

We have developed visible-light-induced trans-hydroboration of diaryl alkynes via direct photoexcitation of in-situ-generated diboron complexes, affording previously elusive (E)-1,2-diaryl-vinylboronates with high stereoselectivity. Experimental, spectroscopic, and theoretical mechanistic studies revealed that the triplet-state borate complex facilitates B-B bond cleavage and the desired C-B bond formation. This methodology does not require any catalyst and is operationally simple. The highly borylated 1,2-diaryl alkenes [1-(2-borylphenyl)vinyl)boronates] are shown to be useful as building blocks.