Metal-free borylative ring-opening of vinyl epoxides and aziridines

Org Biomol Chem. 2013 Sep 25;11(40):7004-10. doi: 10.1039/c3ob41328d.

Abstract

A rational approach towards the borylative ring-opening of vinylepoxides and vinylaziridines, by the in situ formed MeO(-)→bis(pinacolato)diboron adduct, has been developed. The enhanced nucleophilic character of the Bpin (sp(2)) moiety from the reagent favours the SN2' conjugated B addition with the concomitant opening of the epoxide and aziridine rings. The reaction proceeds with total chemoselectivity towards the polyfunctionalised (-OH or -NHTs) allyl boronate. Theoretical calculations have determined the transition states that come from the reaction of the vinylic substrates with the activated MeO(-)→bis(pinacolato)diboron adduct, and a plausible mechanism for the organocatalytic borylative ring opening reaction has been suggested.