Catalytic, Direct Synthesis of Bis(boronate) Compounds

Bis(boronate) compounds have been attracting much attention as versatile building blocks for concise synthesis of complex molecules because these compounds enable multiple C-C bond formations and functionalizations at the C-B bonds. Transition metal-catalyzed diboration reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons with diborons have been utilized as a straightforward and highly useful method for the synthesis of bis(boronate) compounds. This perspective article will summarize recent development in substrate generality, asymmetric synthesis, and discovery of new metal catalysts in the diboration chemistry. Moreover, another approach to bis(boronate) compounds via sequential monoborylation reaction will also be described, expanding diversity of the direct synthesis of bis(boronate) compounds.