Expanding Roles for Organoboron Compounds – Versatile and Valuable Molecules for Synthetic, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

Nicos A. Petasis

doi:10.1071/CH07360

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Expanding Roles for Organoboron Compounds – Versatile and Valuable Molecules for Synthetic, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

Nicos A. Petasis ^A

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^A Department of Chemistry and Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, USA. Email: petasis@usc.edu

Nicos Petasis (B.Sc. University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, USA) is the Harold E. & Lillian M. Moulton Professor of Chemistry at the University of Southern California, where he is also a Member of the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. His work on new methods and strategies for organic synthesis has led to several widely used chemical reactions, including the titanium-mediated carbonyl olefination and the multicomponent reactions of organoboron compounds with amines and carbonyls. His collaborative research on polyunsaturated lipid mediators has helped elucidate the beneficial roles of omega-3 fatty acids, and led to new anti-inflammatory agents. He has given over 150 invited lectures worldwide and his work has led to two books, 125 papers, 115 conference presentations, and 40 patents and patent applications. He has also been a scientific advisor to the pharmaceutical industry, and for 2007–2008, he is the recipient of a Novartis Chemistry Lectureship.

Australian Journal of Chemistry 60(11) 795-798 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH07360
Published: 1 November 2007

Abstract

The present essay offers an overview of the latest developments in the chemistry of organoboron compounds. The unique structural characteristics and the versatile reactivity profile of organoboron compounds continue to expand their roles in several areas of chemistry. A growing number of boron-mediated reactions have become vital tools for synthetic chemistry, particularly in asymmetric synthesis, metal-catalyzed processes, acid catalysis, and multicomponent reactions. As a result, boronic acids and related molecules have now evolved as major players in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Moreover, their remnant electrophilic reactivity, even under physiological conditions, has allowed their incorporation in a growing number of bioactive molecules, including bortezomib, a clinically approved anticancer agent. Finally, the sensitive and selective binding of boronic acids to diols and carbohydrates has led to the development of a growing number of novel chemosensors for the detection, quantification, and imaging of glucose and other carbohydrates. There is no doubt that the chemistry of organoboron compounds will continue to expand into new discoveries and new applications in several fields of science.

Acknowledgements

I express my gratitude to all members of my research group that have contributed to our research program in organoboron chemistry. Financial support by the National Institutes of Health (GM45970) and the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute of USC is also gratefully acknowledged.

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