Reyes RL,
Sato M,
Iwai T,
Suzuki K,
Maeda S,
Sawamura M.
*
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Asymmetric Remote C–H Borylation of Aliphatic Amides and Esters with a Modular Iridium
Catalyst.
Science 2020;
369: 970-974
DOI:
10.1126/science.abc8320
Key words
C(sp
3)–H activation - borylation - asymmetric catalysis
Significance
The authors report on an asymmetric borylation of aliphatic amides and esters in γ-position.
The efficient catalytic system delivers chiral pinacolboronates in high yield and
enantiomeric excess.
Comment
The complex catalytic system is comprised of an iridium precatalyst, a chiral ligand
and a receptor ligand. The receptor ligand has a pyridine moiety intended for binding
to the catalyst and a urea moiety for substrate binding. The absence of either of
these components results in no reaction. 2,6-Lutidine has a positive impact on both
yield and enantiomeric excess. Preliminary quantum chemical calculations show that
the amide substrate is bound to the catalytic cavity not only through hydrogen bonding
with receptor ligand but also through other noncovalent interactions.
