Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of carboranylated diols bearing two adjacent stereocenters located at the α,β-position of o-carborane cage carbon

Abstract

Despite the great interest in carborane-containing molecules, there is a lack of literature on the generation of central chiralities, via catalytic asymmetric transformations using prochiral carboranyl substrates. Herein, we have synthesized novel optically active icosahedral carborane-containing diols via Sharpless catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation of carborane-derived alkenes, under mild conditions. The reaction showed a good substrate scope with 74–94% yields and 92–>99% ee. This synthetic approach facilitated the creation of two adjacent stereocenters respectively located at the α,β-position of o-carborane cage carbon, with a single syn-diastereoisomer. In addition, the obtained chiral carborane-containing diol product can be transformed to cyclic sulfate and can subsequently undergo a nucleophilic substitution and reduction to obtain the unexpected nido-carboranyl derivatives of chiral amino alcohols in the form of zwitterions.