Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Synthesis of a Borylated Ibuprofen Derivative Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling and Alkene Boracarboxylation Reactions
Published on: November 30, 2022
Iridium-Catalyzed, Hydrosilyl-Directed Borylation of Unactivated Alkyl C-H Bonds
Matthew A Larsen1, Seung Hwan Cho1, John Hartwig1
1Department of Chemistry, University of California , Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Abstract:
We report the iridium-catalyzed borylation of primary and secondary alkyl C-H bonds directed by a Si-H group to form alkylboronate esters site selectively. The reactions occur with high selectivity at primary C-H bonds γ to the hydrosilyl group to form primary alkyl bisboronate esters. In the absence of such primary C-H bonds, the borylation occurs selectively at a secondary C-H bond γ to the hydrosilyl group, and these reactions of secondary C-H bonds occur with high diastereoselectivity. The hydrosilyl-containing alkyl boronate esters formed by this method undergo transformations selectively at the carbon-boron or carbon-silicon bonds of these products under distinct conditions to give the products of amination, oxidation, and arylation.
Related Concept Videos
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...

