A platinum-catalyzed terminal diboration of 1,1-disubstituted allenes using a differentially protected diboron is described. Diboration occurs in a regio-and chemoselective fashion to furnish vinyl and allyl boronates in good to excellent yield and selectivity. Transformation of the bis-boronyl products to other functional groups as well as in chemoselective crosscoupling is demonstrated.

A novel photosensitiser, DC473, designed with solvatochromatic fluorescence and distinct Raman signal, is detected with tandem fluoRaman in SW480 cells.

Drug-like, donor–acceptor diphenylacetylenes cause efficient cell death upon photoactivation and hence have potential phototherapeutic applications.