Directing-Group-Assisted Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Selective BH Functionalization of o-Carboranes

Abstract

Carboranes are a type of molecular clusters consisting of carbon, hydrogen and boron atoms. They possess unique characteristics such as three-dimensional aromaticity, icosahedral geometry, and robustness. Functionalized carboranes have been utilized in various fields including medicine, materials, and organometallic/coordination chemistry. In this context, selective functionalization of o-carboranes has received tremendous attention, specifically in the regio- and enantio-selective modification of the ten chemically similar BH vertices within the carborane cage. In recent years, significant progress has been made in catalytic vertex-specific BH functionalization, as well as achieving enantioselective functionalization of the cage BH. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in this research field.