Exploring New Synthetic Methodologies using Organoboron Catalysts

Organic molecules as reaction catalysts (organocatalysts) has represented a major direction of research over the past 10-15 years. Organoboron compounds possess many advantageous features of organocatalysts, including their relatively low cost and toxicity, their high functional group tolerance and ease of structural modification. 2H-Chromenes have been studied extensively as a consequence of their widespread natural occurrence, diverse biological properties and photochromic behaviour. They have been employed as useful intermediates in the synthesis of many natural products, pharmaceuticals and photochromic ophthalmic plastic lenses. Chapter 1 describes the optimization and initial substrate scope of an arylboronic acid-catalyzed synthesis of 2H-chromenes from the condensation of various phenols and aldehydes. Chapter 2 explores the utility of borinic acid catalysts in a Conia-Ene reaction. Finally, Chapter 3 discusses the synthesis of homobarrelenones, attractive building blocks for organic synthesis, via a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction using catalytic boronic acids.M.Sc.2016-03-04 00:00:0