With the increasing realization of their involvement in numerous biological processes, synthetic oligosaccharides present promising potential in drug and vaccine discovery. Selective functionalization of hydroxy groups in polyols represent a long-standing goal in chemistry since the chemical synthesis of O-glycosides often requires extensive protecting group manipulation. Organoboron catalysis is a recent strategy for regioselective activation of the equatorial hydroxy group of cis-vicinal diols. Following the initial findings that diarylborinic acid catalyzes the regioselective acylation of carbohydrate derivatives, kinetic studies were conducted to obtain better insight on the mechanism. Thereafter, the ability of diarylborinic acid to catalyze the regioselective alkylation of carbohydrates was demonstrated. Finally, investigations in the capability of diarylborinic acid to influence regiochemical outcome of glycosylation reactions were explored. Similarly, kinetic experiments were devised to shed light on the mechanism of the reaction.

With the increasing realization of their involvement in numerous biological processes, synthetic oligosaccharides present promising potential in drug and vaccine discovery. Selective functionalization of hydroxy groups in polyols represent a long-standing goal in chemistry since the chemical synthesis of O-glycosides often requires extensive protecting group manipulation. Organoboron catalysis is a recent strategy for regioselective activation of the equatorial hydroxy group of cis-vicinal diols. Following the initial findings that diarylborinic acid catalyzes the regioselective acylation of carbohydrate derivatives, kinetic studies were conducted to obtain better insight on the mechanism. Thereafter, the ability of diarylborinic acid to catalyze the regioselective alkylation of carbohydrates was demonstrated. Finally, investigations in the capability of diarylborinic acid to influence regiochemical outcome of glycosylation reactions were explored. Similarly, kinetic experiments were devised to shed light on the mechanism of the reaction.

The use of boron-containing amines for the amino alkylation of amides has been investigated in our laboratories with the aim of preparing compounds which could be used in neutron capture therapy. The purpose of this procedure is to achieve selective irradiation of a neoplactic growth by inducing radioactivity throughout that tissue. Although the results obtained in destroying tumors have not always been encouraging, they have been such - especially in cases not amenable to treatment by surgery or chemotherapy - that further research is warranted in order to develop drugs that can be used effectively in neutron capture therapy (Farr, Robertson & Stickley, 1954). This method of cancer treatment is still in the experimental stages of development, but it will, no doubt, gain the active interest of more clinical workers in the near future.

Thesis advisor: James Morken / This dissertation will present two main projects focusing on the construction of enantiomerically enriched α-boryl organometallic reagents by transition metal catalysis. The first project describes the development of a platinum-catalyzed enantioselective hydrosilylation reaction of alkenyl boronic esters, which provides a general and efficient route to α-borylsilane species. Such species are configurationally stable and exhibit significant synthetic utilities. The second project depicts a nickel-catalyzed enantioselective carbozincation reaction of vinyl boronic esters, which for the first time giving approach to enantioenriched α-borylzinc reagents. These reagents possess good configurational stability at low temperatures and can participate in copper-catalyzed allylation, palladium-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling and electrophilic halogenation reactions in stereospecific fashion to furnish a broad array of chiral boronic esters. These compounds are important and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis and utilized in the synthesis of (–)-aphanorphine and (–)-enterolactone. Detailed mechanistic studies were carried out, which revealed a nickel(I)-based redox neutral catalytic cycle. The properties of α-borylzinc compounds were also studied by 1H NMR and enabled the development of a stereoconvergent cross-coupling of racemic α-borylzinc reagents. Such catalytic system is also effective for an enantioselective silylzincation of vinyl boronic esters. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: James P. Morken / This thesis will describe the development of two transition metal catalyzed syntheses of organoboronic compounds. The first section describes relevant concepts and precedents for the conjunctive coupling reaction. In the second section of this thesis, nickel catalyzed conjunctive coupling reaction of carboxylic acid derivatives with 9-BBN derived ate complexes will be discussed, where beta-trialkylboryl ketones are obtained as the product. In the third section, the development of alkyl group migration in nickel-catalyzed conjunctive coupling with C(sp3) electrophiles will be discussed. Enantioenriched secondary boronic esters can be prepared from this reaction, and two alkaloid syntheses are disclosed as the application of the method. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: James P. Morken / This dissertation presents the development of catalytic enantioselective synthesis and selective functionalization of geminal or vicinal borylsilanes and bis(boronates). In the first chapter, a modular approach to the catalytic synthesis of enantioenriched anti-1,2-borylsilanes will be described, which is enabled by the stereospecific 1,2-metallate shift that occurs during Pd-catalyzed conjunctive cross-coupling reaction. In the second chapter, the Cu-catalyzed site-selective cross-coupling of vicinal bis(boronates) to an array of electrophiles is developed to provide a new method to construct complex boron-containing products from terminal alkenes. A dramatic rate acceleration in transmetalation to copper is enabled by the neighboring activating boronate group in the substrate. Mechanistic experiments suggest that the formation of a chelated cyclic ate complex may play a role in facilitating the transmetalation. As a follow-up project, the site-selective cross-coupling of vicinal diborylsilanes is also investigated. A Pt-catalyzed enantioselective hydrosilylation of (Z)-1,2-diborylethylene provides access to a vicinal 1,2-diboryl-1-silylalkane that can be used in catalytic cross-coupling reactions. Depending on the catalyst employed and the electrophile class, the coupling reaction can occur at either the α or β carbon relative to the silane center. In the last chapter, a practical method is developed to prepare a TiO2 supported gold nanoparticle catalyst that facilitates the cis-diboration of terminal alkynes. The resulting products can undergo a practical Cu-catalyzed site-selective cross-coupling with proton or other non-aryl/alkenyl electrophiles to yield α-substituted alkenyl boronates with excellent yield and site-selectivity. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter 1. We have developed a single-vessel catalytic protocol for double protoboryl additions to terminal alkynes with B2(pin)2 promoted by Cu complex derived from chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), to achieve enantiomerically enriched versatile vicinal diborons. Since an alkenyl(pinacolato)boron, which was in situ generated by the first protoboration of a terminal alkyne, can serve as an effective substrate for the second protoboration (alkenylboron can allow delocalization of π electrons of olefin to a partially vacant p orbital on boron), single-vessel catalytic process with 2 equiv. of B2(pin)2 in the presence of sulfonate-bearing chiral NHC–Cu complex, affords enantiomerically enriched 1,2-diborons in up to 93% yield and 97.5:2.5 enantiomeric ratio (e.r.). Site-selective Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with alkenyl bromide shows the versatility of the resulting diboron compounds, which delivers the coupling product efficiently. Interestingly, only the less hindered, primary C–B bond on vicinal diboron compound participates in the cross coupling. Chapter 2. Cu-catalyzed protocol for selective formation of α-alkenylborons has been demonstrated. With achiral NHC–Cu complex, readily prepared from commercially available imidazolinium salt, various terminal alkynes are converted to internal alkenylborons in up to 93% yield with high to exclusive α selectivity. Propargyl ethers, amides and aryl alkynes are proved to be suitable substrates. Utility of α-alkenylborons is demonstrated by conversion to methyl ketone and synthesis of cyclic alkenylboron compound. In addition, when Cu complex bearing a stronger electron-donating NHC is used, the site selectivity of protoboration reaction becomes reversed, which delivers the alternative isomer, β-alkenylboron efficiently. By altering the steric and electronic nature of NHC, site selectivity is dramatically changed. Mechanistic basis for site selectivity is presented. Chapter 3. Efficient and selective protocol for synthesis of enantiomerically enriched silylborons is described. In the presence of achiral NHC–Cu complex, site- and stereoselective protosilyl additions to terminal alkynes afford a wide range of alkyl- and aryl-substituted (E)-β-alkenylsilanes. Chiral monodentate NHC−Cu complex promotes enantioselective protoboration of alkyl- or alkenyl-bearing alkenylsilanes, delivering vicinal borosilanes with up to 96.5:3.5 e.r. When an alkene bearing both silyl and aryl groups is utilized, on the other hand, geminal silylboron is obtained with high enantio- (93:7–98.5:1.5 e.r.) and site selectivity (up to >98% geminal). In this case, we have reasoned that the electronic attribute of aryl unit is more dominant than the silyl group to control site selectivity. To demonstrate the utility of the Cu-catalyzed transformation, we have illustrated the formal synthesis of bruguierol A, natural product active against Gram-positive and also Gram-negative bacteria. The key intermediate geminal borosilane is provided by sequential NHC–Cu-catalyzed protosilylation and protoboration of terminal alkyne in 77% overall yield with 97.5:2.5 e.r. and 97% site selectivity. Additionally, stereochemical models to account for levels and trends in site- and enantioselectivity are proposed. Chapter 4. New methods for enantioselective protonation of 2-B(pin)-bearing allylcopper, which is in situ generated by site-selective Cu–B addition to 1,1-disubstituted allene, are presented. Transformations are promoted by a chiral NHC–Cu complex, affording an alkenylboron containing α-carbon stereogenic center. Enantiomerically enriched aryl-, heteroaryl- and silyl-bearing alkenylborons are generated in high yield (up to 98%) and selectivities (up to >98% site selectivity and 96.5:3.5 e.r.). To explore the utility of enantiomerically enriched alkenylborons, we have developed Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkenyl addition to allylic phosphate. A chiral NHC–Cu complex promotes the allylic substitution of enantiomerically enriched alkenylboronic acid with ally phosphate to deliver 1,4-diene in 62% yield with 96:4 d.r. (>98% stereoselectivity). Chapter 5. We have developed a single-vessel, multicomponent process to synthesize N-bearing quaternary carbon stereogenic centers with exceptional diastereo- (>98:2 d.r. for all cases) and high enantioselectivity (88:12 to >99:1 e.r. except one case). Especially, protecting group-free ketoimine (“N–H” ketoimine), which can be prepared by alkylation of a readily available nitrile, has been utilized for the study. The transformation of “N–H” ketoimine is very useful because the obtained amine has no protecting group, which allows us to avoid the deprotection step as well as to be able to choose appropriate protecting group for subsequent chemical reactions. By oxidation of α-tertiary carbamine with NaBO3, β-amino ketones (Mannich reaction product) are obtained in up to 83% yield. A stereochemical model to account for the level of diastereo- and enantioselectivity are presented using DFT calculations. To show the utility of the present method, we have synthesized a medicinally active compound, which was studied for Alzheimer’s disease. The Cu-catalyzed protocol delivers the core structure of the target molecule with exclusive diastereo- and enantioselectivity (>98:2 d.r. and 99.5:0.5 e.r.). / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a resolução cinética de ésteres carboxílicos β-borilados, catalisada por lipases, através de hidrólise e transesterificação. Foram sintentizados ésteres contendo diferentes cadeias carbônicas. A hidrólise enantiosseletiva catalisada por CAL-B forneceu o correspondente ácido carboxílico β-borilado com excesso enantiomérico moderado (e.e. 62%), enquanto os ésteres β-borilados metílico e etílico foram recuperados com excelente pureza enantiomérica (e.e.>99%). A reação de transesterificação enantiosseletiva entre ésteres carboxílicos β-borilados e álcoois, catalisada por CAL-B, demonstrou uma alta seletividade somente quando etanol e (β-pinacolilboronato)-butanoato de metila foram usados como substratos, levando a formação de (β-pinacolilboronato)-butanoato de etila enantioenriquecido (e.e.>99%). Entretanto, ésteres contendo longas cadeias carbônicas ligadas à carboxila não sofreram as reações desejadas, mesmo em temperaturas mais elevadas. Adicionalmente, foi investigada a reação de aminação redutiva assimétrica, catalisada por ω-transaminases, de cetonas pró-quirais contendo grupos borônicos (ácido, éster ou trifluoroborato de potássio). Após as sínteses de cetonas aromáticas e alifáticas, os melhores resultados para a biotransformação foram obtidos com ω-transaminases (R)-seletivas de Arthrobacter sp. e Aspergillus terreus e (S)-seletiva de Chromobacterium violaceum. Sob as condições otimizadas, foram obtidas altas conversões (94%) com perfeitas enantiosseletividades (e.e.>99%), proporcionando assim uma nova via de acesso a aminas (R) ou (S) contendo boro em condições reacionais suaves. / In this work, the kinetic resolution of β-borylated carboxylic esters via lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis and transesterification reactions was evaluated. Esteres with different carbon chains were synthesized. The enantioselective hydrolysis catalyzed by CAL-B furnished the corresponding β-borylated carboxylic acid with reasonable enantiomeric excess (ee 62%), while both methyl and ethyl β-borylated carboxylic esters were recovered with excellent enantiomeric purity (ee>99%). The enantioselective transesterification reaction of β-borylated carboxylic esters and several alcohols, catalyzed by CAL-B, only indicated a high selectivity when ethanol and methyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate were used as substrates, which gave the enantioenriched ethyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate (ee >99%). However, esters with longer carbon chains or steric hindrance at the carboxyl group did not undergo the desired reactions, even at high temperatures. Additionally, the asymmetric reductive amination ω-transaminase catalyzed of boron-containing (acid, ester or potassium trifluoroborate) prochiral ketones was investigated. After the syntheses of aromatic and aliphatic ketones, the best results of biotransformation were obtained with (R)-selective ω-transaminases from Arthrobacter sp. and Aspergillus terreus and (S)-selective one from Chromobacterium violaceum. Under the optimized conditions, high conversions (94%) with perfect enantioselectivities (ee >99%) were found, providing a new access to (R) or (S) boron-containing amines under mild reaction conditions.

Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a resolução cinética de ésteres carboxílicos β-borilados, catalisada por lipases, através de hidrólise e transesterificação. Foram sintentizados ésteres contendo diferentes cadeias carbônicas. A hidrólise enantiosseletiva catalisada por CAL-B forneceu o correspondente ácido carboxílico β-borilado com excesso enantiomérico moderado (e.e. 62%), enquanto os ésteres β-borilados metílico e etílico foram recuperados com excelente pureza enantiomérica (e.e.>99%). A reação de transesterificação enantiosseletiva entre ésteres carboxílicos β-borilados e álcoois, catalisada por CAL-B, demonstrou uma alta seletividade somente quando etanol e (β-pinacolilboronato)-butanoato de metila foram usados como substratos, levando a formação de (β-pinacolilboronato)-butanoato de etila enantioenriquecido (e.e.>99%). Entretanto, ésteres contendo longas cadeias carbônicas ligadas à carboxila não sofreram as reações desejadas, mesmo em temperaturas mais elevadas. Adicionalmente, foi investigada a reação de aminação redutiva assimétrica, catalisada por ω-transaminases, de cetonas pró-quirais contendo grupos borônicos (ácido, éster ou trifluoroborato de potássio). Após as sínteses de cetonas aromáticas e alifáticas, os melhores resultados para a biotransformação foram obtidos com ω-transaminases (R)-seletivas de Arthrobacter sp. e Aspergillus terreus e (S)-seletiva de Chromobacterium violaceum. Sob as condições otimizadas, foram obtidas altas conversões (94%) com perfeitas enantiosseletividades (e.e.>99%), proporcionando assim uma nova via de acesso a aminas (R) ou (S) contendo boro em condições reacionais suaves. / In this work, the kinetic resolution of β-borylated carboxylic esters via lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis and transesterification reactions was evaluated. Esteres with different carbon chains were synthesized. The enantioselective hydrolysis catalyzed by CAL-B furnished the corresponding β-borylated carboxylic acid with reasonable enantiomeric excess (ee 62%), while both methyl and ethyl β-borylated carboxylic esters were recovered with excellent enantiomeric purity (ee>99%). The enantioselective transesterification reaction of β-borylated carboxylic esters and several alcohols, catalyzed by CAL-B, only indicated a high selectivity when ethanol and methyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate were used as substrates, which gave the enantioenriched ethyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate (ee >99%). However, esters with longer carbon chains or steric hindrance at the carboxyl group did not undergo the desired reactions, even at high temperatures. Additionally, the asymmetric reductive amination ω-transaminase catalyzed of boron-containing (acid, ester or potassium trifluoroborate) prochiral ketones was investigated. After the syntheses of aromatic and aliphatic ketones, the best results of biotransformation were obtained with (R)-selective ω-transaminases from Arthrobacter sp. and Aspergillus terreus and (S)-selective one from Chromobacterium violaceum. Under the optimized conditions, high conversions (94%) with perfect enantioselectivities (ee >99%) were found, providing a new access to (R) or (S) boron-containing amines under mild reaction conditions.

The research presented herein is concerned with the exploration of the rhodium catalysed addition of organoboron reagents. Chapter 1 firstly introduces the area of organoboron reagents, focussing on the applications of potassium alkenyl trifluoroborate reagents. Secondly, an extensive discussion of the rhodium catalysed conjugate addition of organboron reagents demonstrates its utility as a key coupling step in recent syntheses. Chapter 2 describes synthetic methods towards alkenylboron reagents and describes the synthesis of functionalised and enantiopure alkenyl trifluoroborate salts. Chapter 3 discusses the rhodium catalysed addition of potassium alkenyl trifluoroborate salts to α,β-unsaturated compounds. A gas chromatography study addresses issues concerning protodeboronation and highlights the potential for olefin transposition. A new rhodium catalysed olefin transposition reaction has been thoroughly investigated and applied using the synthesised potassium alkenyl trifluoroborate salts. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of biologically relevant, enantiopure dihydropyranones for use as acceptors in the rhodium catalysed conjugate addition reaction. The hetero-Diels-Alder reaction is employed to synthesise the dihydropyranones. Rhodium catalysed conjugate addition of arylboronic acids and potassium alkenyl trifluoroborates is utilised to concisely assemble late stage intermediates of natural products including diospongin B. Chapter 5 describes the synthesis and characterisation of the compounds discussed in chapters 2, 3 and 4.