Enantioselective synthesis of chiral organoborons via carbene B–H insertion catalyzed by engineered neuroglobin

Abstract

The heme-containing globin neuroglobin (Ngb) was engineered to catalyze an enantioselective carbene B–H insertion reaction, affording chiral organoboron compounds with up to 66% yield and 97 : 3 er. The rationally designed quadruple mutant CSFM Ngb, featuring an optimized heme active site for substrate binding, enables efficient and selective borylation under mild aqueous conditions. This new biocatalytic platform offers a sustainable route to valuable boron-based chiral building blocks.