Unsymmetrical 1,1-bis(boryl)alkanes and alkenes are organo-bismetallic equivalents, which are synthetically important because they allow for sequential selective transformations of C–B bonds. We reviewed the synthesis and chemical reactivity of 1,1-bis(boryl)alkanes and alkenes to provide information for the synthetic community. In the first part of this review, we disclose the synthesis and chemical reactivity of unsymmetrical 1,1-bisborylalkanes. In the second part, we describe the synthesis and chemical reactivity of unsymmetrical 1,1-bis(boryl)alkenes.

In this review, we emphasise the importance of the generation of α-boryl carbon-centred radicals and their utilisation in synthesis.

Scheme2.Scope of the synthesis of gem-diborylalkanes, the proposed mechanism and ad euterium-labelling study.

Although gem -diborylalkenes are known to be among the most valuable reagents in modern organic synthesis, providing a rapid access to a wide array of transformations, including the construction of C–C and C-heteroatom bonds, their use as dienophile-reactive groups has been rare. Herein we report the Diels–Alder (DA) reaction of (unsymmetrical) gem -diborylalkenes. These reactions provide a general and efficient method for the stereoselective conversion of gem -diborylalkenes to rapidly access 1,1-bisborylcyclohexenes. Using the same DA reaction manifold with borylated-dienes and gem- diborylalkenes, we also developed a concise, highly regioselective synthesis of 1,1,2-tris- and 1,1,3,4-tetrakis(boronates)cyclohexenes, a family of compounds that currently lack efficient synthetic access. Furthermore, DFT calculations provided insight into the underlying factors that control the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity of these DA reactions. This method also provides stereodivergent syntheses of gem- diborylnorbornenes. The utility of the gem- diborylnorbornene building blocks was demonstrated by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), providing a highly modular approach to the first synthesis of the gem- diboron-based polymers. Additionally, these polymers have been successfully submitted to postpolymerization modification reactions. Given its simplicity and versatility, we believe that this novel DA and ROMP approach holds great promise for organoboron synthesis as well as organoboron-based polymers and that it will result in more novel transformations in both academic and industrial research.

Although gem-diborylalkenes are known to be among the most valuable reagents in modern organic synthesis, providing a rapid access to a wide array of transformations, including the construction of C−C and C‐heteroatom bonds, their use as dienophile-reactive groups has been rare. Herein we report the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction of (unsymmetrical) gem-diborylalkenes. These reactions provide a general and efficient method for the stereoselective conversion of gem-diborylalkenes to rapidly access 1,1-bisborylcyclohexenes. Using the same DA reaction manifold with borylated-dienes and gem-diborylalkenes, we also developed a concise, highly regioselective synthesis of 1,1,2-tris- and 1,1,3,4-tetrakis(boronates)cyclohexenes, a family of compounds that currently lack efficient synthetic access. Furthermore, DFT calculations provided insight into the underlying factors that control the chemo-, regio, and stereoselectivity of these DA reactions. This method also provides stereodivergent syntheses of gem-diboryl-norbornenes. The utility of the gem-diboryl-norbornene building blocks was demonstrated by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), providing a highly modular approach to the first synthesis of the gem-diboron-based polymers. Given its simplicity and versatility, we believe that this novel DA and ROMP approach holds great promise for organoboron synthesis as well as organoboron-based polymers and that it will result in more novel transformations in both academic and industrial research.<br>

Polyborylated-alkenes are valuable polymetalloid reagents in modern organic synthesis, providing access to a wide array of transformations, including the construction of multiple C–C and C–heteroatom bonds. However, because they contain similar boryl groups, many times their transformation faces the main challenge in controlling the chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity. One way to overcome these limitations is by installing different boron groups that can provide an opportunity to tune their reactivity toward better chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity. Yet, the preparation of polyborylated-alkenes containing different boryl groups has been rare. Herein we report concise, highly site-selective, and stereoselective boron-masking strategies of polyborylated alkenes. This is achieved by designed stereoselective trifluorination and MIDA-ation reactions of readily available starting polyborylated alkenes. Additionally, the trifluoroborylated-alkenes undergo a stereospecific interconversion to Bdan-alkenes. These transition-metal free reactions provide a general and efficient method for the conversion of polyborylated alkenes to access 1,1-di-, 1,2-di-, 1,1,2-tris-(borylated) alkenes containing BF3M, Bdan, and BMIDA, a family of compounds that currently lack efficient synthetic access. Moreover, tetraborylethene undergoes the metal-free MIDA-ation reaction to provide the mono BMIDA tetraboryl alkene selectively. The mixed polyborylalkenes are then demonstrated to be useful in selective C–C and C–heteroatom bond-forming reactions. Given its simplicity and versatility, these stereoselective boron-masking approaches hold great promise for organoboron synthesis and will result in more transformations.

We report a designed stereodivergent strategy for the synthesis of gem‐diborylcyclopropanes. The reaction provides a highly modular approach to prepare cyclopropane ring variants bearing gem‐(Bpin,Bpin), gem‐(Bpin,Bdan), and gem‐(Bpin,BF3K), with outstanding levels of stereocontrol. This was achieved by diastereoselective Pd‐catalyzed cyclopropanation reactions of gem‐diborylalkenes with α‐diazoarylacetates and α‐diazoaryl‐trifluoromethyl. The key to the success of this general protocol was the diastereoselective trifluorination reaction of gem‐diborylcyclopropanes, followed by the stereospecific interconversion of the trifluoroborate salts into the Bdan group.

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