Shining a Light on Boron

Together with his team, Aduc prize winner John Molloy explores reactivity of boron-containing compounds using light as an activation mode.

Chemists can easily convert C–B bonds into many other functionalities, making them highly relevant in modern synthesis. Here, the boron group can be activated to branch off to stereospecifically explore chemical space for the discovery of next-generation functional molecules. Together with the current drive towards 3D topologies in medicinal chemistry, this creates demand for new strategies to generate C(sp³)–B bonds. Our research group aims to harness light to synthesize 3D organoboron frameworks.

Light-enabled generation of α-boryl radicals

Open-shell intermediates, such as α-boryl radicals, have a rich history in organic synthesis, enabling the construction of a C–C bond with the concomitant installation of a boron motif. Many groups have pursued light-enabled generation of such radical intermediates via radical addition. In comparison, their formation via α-atom abstraction is underexplored and was limited to the use of transition metals or powerful photoredox catalysts. Because few catalyst-free strate

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