The routine application of Csp3-hybridized nucleophiles in cross-coupling reactions remains an unsolved challenge in organic chemistry. The sluggish transmetalation rates observed for the preferred organoboron reagents in such transformations are a consequence of the two-electron mechanism underlying the standard catalytic approach. We describe a mechanistically distinct single-electron transfer-based strategy for the activation of organoboron reagents toward transmetalation that exhibits complementary reactivity patterns. Application of an iridium photoredox catalyst in tandem with a nickel catalyst effects the cross-coupling of potassium alkoxyalkyl- and benzyltrifluoroborates with an array of aryl bromides under exceptionally mild conditions (visible light, ambient temperature, no strong base). The transformation has been extended to the asymmetric and stereoconvergent cross-coupling of a secondary benzyltrifluoroborate.

The cross-coupling of sp3-hybridized organoboron reagents via photoredox/nickel dual catalysis represents a new paradigm of reactivity for engaging alkylmetallic reagents in transition-metal-catalyzed processes. Reported here is an investigation into the mechanistic details of this important transformation using density functional theory. Calculations bring to light a new reaction pathway involving an alkylnickel(I) complex generated by addition of an alkyl radical to Ni(0) that is likely to operate simultaneously with the previously proposed mechanism. Analysis of the enantioselective variant of the transformation reveals an unexpected manifold for stereoinduction involving dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of a Ni(III) intermediate wherein the stereodetermining step is reductive elimination. Furthermore, calculations suggest that the DKR-based stereoinduction manifold may be responsible for stereoselectivity observed in numerous other stereoconvergent Ni-catalyzed cross-couplings and reductive couplings.

Organotrifluoroborates represent an alternative to boronic acids, boronate esters, and organoboranes for use in Suzuki-Miyaura and other transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The trifluoroborate moiety is stable toward numerous reagents that are often problematic for other boron species. Consequently, remote functional groups within the organotrifluoroborates can be manipulated, while retaining the valuable carbon-boron bond.

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Scheme 3. Alkyl-aryl cross-coupling using potassiumand ammonium silicates.[Si] = bis(catecholato)silicate. COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene. phen = 1,10-phenanthroline.Scheme 4. Alkyl-aryl cross-coupling using 1,4-dihydropyridines. ppy = 2-phenylpyridine. DMI = 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine dMeObpy = 4-4'-dimethoxy-2-2'-bipyridine. Angewandte ChemieMinireviews 6157

An iridium photocatalyst and visible light facilitate a room temperature, nickel-catalyzed coupling of (hetero)aryl bromides with activated α-heterosubstituted or benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds. Mechanistic investigations on this unprecedented transformation have uncovered the possibility of an unexpected mechanism hypothesized to involve a Ni–Br homolysis event from an excited-state nickel complex. The resultant bromine radical is thought to abstract weak C(sp3)–H bonds to generate reactive alkyl radicals that can be engaged in Ni-catalyzed arylation. Evidence suggests that the iridium photocatalyst facilitates nickel excitation and bromine radical generation via triplet–triplet energy transfer.

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