Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes and the stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-diol stereotriads from 1,3-diborylpropenes.

The synthesis of mixed borabicyclodecane (BBD)-derived 1,3-diborylpropenes (trans-1) is described. These new bimetallic reagents are effective for the selective asymmetric allylboration first of ketones (or ketimines) and second of aldehydes (or aldimines). Formed as a thermodynamic mixture of trans regioisomers from cis-1 through a series of 1,3-borotropic shifts, only trans-1 undergoes the monoallylation of ketones. After this single addition, this process is effectively shut down after the reaction of the 10-Ph-9-BBD portion in 1. Serving as a molecular gate, the rearranged 10-TMS-9-BBD trans-allylborane intermediate 11 reacts only after an aldehyde (or aldimine) is added. This allylation fixes the last two stereogenic centers of the 2-vinyl-1,3-diol stereotriad, ultimately resulting in 16 (or 1,3-amino alcohols) in 50-72% yield (>98% ee) as single observable diastereomers. These reagents 1 uniquely function as the equivalent of 1,1-bimetallic allylic reagents, adding sequentially first to ketones and second to aldehydes.

9-Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes and the asymmetric hydroboration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes.

The syntheses of the optically pure asymmetric hydroborating agents 1 (a, R = Ph; b, R = TMS) in both enantiomeric forms are reported. These reagents are effective for the hydroboration of cis-, trans- and trisubstituted alkenes. More significantly, they exhibit unprecedented levels of selectivity in the asymmetric hydroboration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes (28-92% ee), a previously unanswered challenge in the nearly 50 year history of this reagent-controlled process. For example, the hydroboration of alpha-methylstyrene with 1a produces the corresponding alcohol 6f in 78% ee (cf., Ipc2BH, 5% ee). Suzuki coupling of the intermediate adducts 5 produces the nonracemic products 7 very effectively (50-84%) without loss of optical purity.

Asymmetric synthesis of 2 degrees- and 3 degrees-Carbinols via B-methallyl-10-(TMS and Ph)-9-borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes.

Simple Grignard procedures provide methallylboranes 1a and 1b in enantiomerically pure form from air-stable precursors in 98% and 95% yields, respectively. These reagents add smoothly to aldehydes and methyl ketones, respectively, providing branched 2 degrees- (6, 69-89%, 94-99% ee) and 3 degrees- (10, 71-87%, 74-96% ee) homoallylic alcohols.