Accessing an Azaborine Building Block: Synthesis and Substitution Reactions of 2‑Chloro­methyl-2,1-borazaro­naph­thalene

One major synthetic route to the synthesis of benzyl amines, ethers, and esters is the nucleophilic substitution of a benzylic halide. To develop a method for the facile synthesis and functionalization of the isosteric azaborines, 2-chloro­methyl-2,1-borazaro­naph­thalene has been synthesized in one step to afford a similar common precursor to a benzylic halide. This B–N isostere has been shown to be an effective building block by serving as an electrophile in substitution reactions with a large variety of nucleophiles