Unlocking the synthesis of homochiral carborane-fused boraphenanthrenes

Abstract

Although the asymmetric synthesis of enantioenriched carborane derivatives has been disclosed, the homochiral carborane-fused polyarene remains synthetically elusive. In the September issue of Cell Reports Physical Science, Mu and co-workers report the modular synthesis of various boraphenanthrenes containing carborane blocks. Mechanistic studies show that the key steps are the transfer of axial chirality and an unusual 1,2-boron migration.