Synlett 2003(2): 0277-0278
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-36808
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Bu2BOTf: A Powerful Tool in Stereoselective Synthesis

Thilo J. Heckrodt*
Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstr. 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
e-Mail: thilo.heckrodt@univie.ac.at;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 January 2003 (online)

Introduction

In 1980 Mukaiyama et al. published the first synthesis of di-n-butylboryl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Bu2BOTf) and demonstrated that this Lewis acid is particularly suitable for the generation of vinyloxyboranes (boron enolates). [1] In the presence of a sterically hindered amine base (typically i-Pr2EtN, Et3N or 2,6-lutidine) and Bu2BOTf vinyloxyboranes are conveniently prepared from active methylene-carbonyl containing compounds. The boron enolates turned out to be efficient intermediates for addition to carbonyls in cross-aldol reactions. With unsymmetrical ketones, use of Bu2BOTf and i-PrEt2N results in the regioselective formation of the vinyloxyborane at the least hindered carbon. The relative stereochemistry of the new chiral centers formed in the aldol product is a direct consequence of vinyloxyborane enolate geometry with Z-enolates affording the 2,3-syn aldol products and the E-vinyloxyboranes leading to the 2,3-trans isomers. With Bu2BOTf a remarkably high stereoselectivity towards the Z-enolate is observed which results in highly syn-selective aldol reactions. Probably the greatest utility of this reagent has been in the stereoselective formation of vinyloxyboranes attached to a chiral auxilary. [2] These are typified by the chiral oxazolidinones derived from α-amino alcohols initially developed by Evans. This modern methodology is a powerful tool for the highly enantioselective construction of two new chiral centers in an aldol addition under recycling of the auxilary. Vinyloxyboranes also react with electrophiles other than aldehydes, furthermore it is possible to generate boryl azaenolates with Bu2BOTf. In the area of macrolactonization Bu2BOTf has also been used.

    References

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