Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Thesis advisor: Marc Snapper / Organoboron compounds are widely used in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. It has been shown that organoboron compounds can undergo a vast quantity of transformations, especially stereospecific reactions. Boron enolates and their reactivity are less explored in the field of organic chemistry. In enolates, boron can be bound to oxygen or carbon. The boron-carbon enolates are of interest for having the potential to engage in stereospecific organoboron chemistry via the stereospecific carbon connected to the boron atom. Two methods of synthesizing boron-carbon enolates are through quaternized and unquaternized boron centers. While quaternized boron-carbon enolates are more studied, unquaternized boron-enolates represent a gap in the field. To date only four unquaternized boron-carbon enolates have been isolated and characterized with only one of the compounds engaging in organoboron chemistry. Herein I report the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a boron-carbon enolate containing 1,2-azaborine as the organoboron analog. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are two distinct research projects focused on the development of metal-catalyzed late-stage functionalization strategies for 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborines separated into three chapters. The first chapter discusses the development, synthesis, and recent contributions to the field of azaborine chemistry. The second chapter details the development of rhodium catalyzed B-H bond activation for the synthesis of a new class of BN-stilbenes as well as the discovery of a novel B-H to B-Cl transformation that is successful both with B-H azaborines as well as other B-H containing compounds. The third chapter pertains to the development of a B-H and B-Cl tolerant C(3) functionalization strategy through the use of Negishi cross-coupling. Using this methodology, previously unreported isomers of BN-naphthalene and BN-indenyl have been synthesized and characterized. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2015. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Benzene and its derivatives are ubiquitous in chemical research, with applications ranging from material science to biomedical research. 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-azaborine is a benzene mimic which replaces a CC bond with a BN bond. The basic science and applications of 1,2-azaborines is relatively underdeveloped. This thesis expands the fundamental understanding of 1,2-azaborines. Chapter I describes the air and moisture stability of 1,2-azaborines. Chapter II introduces nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions that the parent 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine will undergo. Chapter III discusses a trimerization reaction that 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine can perform, which is unique from benzene. Chapter IV examines a novel protection free synthesis of 1,2-azaborines, which provides a more direct route to functionalized 1,2-azaborines. Chapter V discusses the novel deprotection of the N-silicon using an amide, giving one of the first 1,2-azaborine pharmaceutical mimics. Finally, chapter VI summarized miscellaneous contributions I have made to the basic science of 1,2-azaborines. This dissertation includes previously published and unpublished co-authored material. / 10000-01-01

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are four projects focused on the elaboration of aromatic 1,2-azaborine core structures through late-stage functionalization strategies. In the first chapter, the gram scale, protecting group-free synthesis of the direct BN isostere of benzene is developed. This protocol is used to produce large quantities of pure 1,2-azaborine suitable for use in fundamental investigations. Second, the first general solution for the functionalization of the C4, C5, and C6 ring positions of 1,2-azaborines is described, featuring iridium catalyzed C-H borylation as the key strategy. Azaborine boronates produced via this method are successfully elaborated through cross coupling and oxidation to access azaborines that serve as N,N-ligands for electrophilic boron sources. The third project is an extension of the borylation/cross coupling project, and introduces the first polymer consisting of repeating azaborine units that displays highly efficient extension of conjugation along the azaborine chain. Finally, a copper catalyzed radical process is developed that enables removal of azaborine boron protecting groups during synthetic routes to simple azaborine targets of high interest. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are three projects that derive from in-depth studies of the distinct electronic structure of monocyclic 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine (heretofore referred to as simply 1,2-azaborine). In the first chapter, the first comprehensive review of the late-stage functionalization methods available for 1,2-azaborines as well as their bicyclic and polycyclic (BN-PAH) counterparts is presented. In the second chapter, the development of a general method for both C4 and C5 functionalization based on the building block approach is described. The distinct electronic structure of 1,2-azaborine enables the chemical separation and further functionalization of C4 and C5 borylated isomers. In the second part, the C4, C5, and C6 isomers of BN-styrene analogues were prepared using the newly developed azaborine building blocks. The corresponding polymers were synthesized and extensively characterized in order to compare the effects of the BN-bond positioning relative to the polymer chain. In the fourth and final chapter, 1,2-azaborine-containing phosphine ligands featuring a P-B bond are synthesized. A comparative electronic structure analysis is performed between the BN-phosphine ligands and their direct all-carbon counterparts. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Homogenous Au(I)-catalysis has become a valuable synthetic tool to activate a host of unsaturated carbon functional groups towards nucleophilic addition. Over the course of the past two decades, many have embarked on new journeys within this field. Notably, the advancements in this field hinge on the development of new ligand systems that impart novel reactivity at the metal. Our group has focused on this area, as we have successfully demonstrated the utility of 1,2,3-triazoles as ligands for gold and a host of other transition metals and Lewis acids. With respect to gold catalysis, these ligands enhance the stability of the metal center, thus inhibiting typical reductive decomposition pathways that have plagued this field. The enhanced stability comes with a price though as higher temperatures can be required. We’ve addressed this challenge by discovering an interesting synergy between triazole-gold and Lewis acids, allowing us to overcome the lower reactivity of these catalysts. During my time as a graduate student, I have focused heavily on enlisting these catalytic systems for new reaction discovery. In my first experimental chapter, I was able to develop an interesting reaction cascade in which triazole-gold and secondary amine catalysts were used. I started with a well-known gold-catalyzed Claisen rearrangement of propargyl vinyl ether, yielding functionalized allenes. The identical oxidation state between these allenes and synthetically appealing dienals was an impetus to develop a new isomerization strategy. After screening various conditions, I was able to successfully execute this design. Most of the work I have been involved in over the past two years has surrounded a gold-catalyzed hydroboration to yield interesting hetercocycles containing a N-B bond. The N-B bond offers some unique properties as it is isoelectronic to a C-C double bond. Despite the simplicity in this design, it would become apparent early on in this research that mitigating the reducing strength of the starting materials was absolutely critical. Starting materials that were too strongly reducing led to rapid catalyst decomposition. Through thorough reaction screening, we have been able to identify a catalytic system that performs extremely well in this context. Ultimately, our goal in this work is to access 1,2-azaborines, which are isosteres of benzene. This compound exhibits aromaticity, as determined through structural and quantitative analyses by several groups. However, subtle differences in properties between the azaborine and benzene, such as its polarity, have intrigued many researchers across various disciplines. Moreover, the ubiquity of its carbonaceous parent in biological systems has prompted many to pursue new synthetic routes to access 1,2-azaborines.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are three research projects that focused on 1) the catalytic activities of Pd/azaborine-derived biary phosphine (Senphos) complexes in 1,3-enyne difunctionalization reactions and 2) the coordination behaviors of these Pd/Senphos complexes. In the first chapter, expansion of the substrate scope and mechanistic studies of the reported Pd/Senphos catalyzed site-, regio- and trans-selective hydroboration of 1,3- enynes are described. In the second chapter, the first intermolecular site-, regio- and transselective chloroboration and cyanoboration of enynes that are enabled by the Pd/Senphos catalytic system are presented. The cyanoboration products, namely vicinal boronsubstituted alkenylnitriles, are demonstrated as versatile synthetic building blocks. In the last chapter, the κ2-P-η2-B,C coordination behavior in a series of 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-Senphos ligated Pd(0) or Pd(II) complexes are evaluated based on solid-state structures and variable-temperature NMR measurements. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan . Liu / Chapter 1. Use of boron as a pharmacophore is as growing but still underdeveloped strategy for expanding chemical space in biomedical research. In addition to more established methods of incorporating boron in drug development, an attractive and emerging method of introducing boron into biologically active compounds is through boron-nitrogen containing heterocycles. In particular, the Liu group has focused on exploring the interactions of monocyclic 1,2-azaborines in biological space. In order to install complicated chemical functionality needed for further studies, methods for late stage functionalization of 1,2-azaborines must be developed. Described herein is a method for functionalizing 1,2-azaborine at the C3- and C5-positions, with bromine and iodine handles, respectively. Chapter 2. Described is the application of the turbo Grignard reaction to 1,2-azaborines bearing a B–Cl bond. The reaction utilizes iPrMgCl·LiCl to form aryl carbon nucleophiles and is tolerant of sensitive functional groups such as nitriles and esters. Development of the reaction obviates the need to use toxic organotin reagents to install aryl groups at the B-position that bear sensitive, electrophilic functionalities. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / This dissertation describes the utility of 1,2-azaborine motif as a 4C+1B+1N synthon in organic synthesis, especially for the preparation of densely functionalized cyclobutanes based on the framework of the 1,2-azaborine photoisomerization. The substitution of a CC unit with a BN unit in benzenes significantly modifies the properties of classic benzenoid compounds, leading to new reactivities and functionalities. In this vein, Chapter 1 discloses photoisomerization of 1,2-azaborines to selectively form BN-analogues of the Dewar benzene. Three applications of the Dewar photoisomers are described herein: 1) a rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reaction to form 1,2-azaborines; 2) furnishing cis aminoborylated cyclobutanes with the boron unit as a further functionalization handle; 3) a stereospecific ring-opening reaction to afford diene which can engage in Diels-Alder reaction. Chapter 2 elaborates on a modular and stereoselective strategy to access a variety of cyclobutane β-amino alcohols. Discussed herein are regioselective functionalizations and di-functionalizations of the 1,2-azaborine core and a tandem photoisomerization-hydrogenation-oxidation protocol to translate the functionalized azaborine core to cyclobutane amino alcohols. Also examined herein are the scope of azaborine photoisomerization and Dewar hydrogenation. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are two projects on the application and effects of BN/CC isosterism on indole-containing compounds. In the first chapter, the synthetic route to an unnatural boron and nitrogen-containing analogue of tryptophan (BN-tryptophan) via late-stage functionalization of BN-indole is disclosed and its spectroscopic properties are reported with respect to the natural amino acid, tryptophan. The incorporation of BN-tryptophan into proteins expressed in E. coli using selective pressure incorporation, a residue specific method of unnatural amino acid incorporation, is then reported and its reactivity and fluorescence in the proteins characterized. In the second chapter, the synthesis of a BN-indole-containing aromatic scaffold is reported and the cation-π binding ability characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitored titrations is disclosed. The resulting chemical shifts were analyzed using a non-linear curve fitting procedure and the extracted association constants (Ka’s) compared with the natural indole scaffold. Computations were also performed to support the titration results. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.