Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes and the stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-diol stereotriads from 1,3-diborylpropenes.

The synthesis of mixed borabicyclodecane (BBD)-derived 1,3-diborylpropenes (trans-1) is described. These new bimetallic reagents are effective for the selective asymmetric allylboration first of ketones (or ketimines) and second of aldehydes (or aldimines). Formed as a thermodynamic mixture of trans regioisomers from cis-1 through a series of 1,3-borotropic shifts, only trans-1 undergoes the monoallylation of ketones. After this single addition, this process is effectively shut down after the reaction of the 10-Ph-9-BBD portion in 1. Serving as a molecular gate, the rearranged 10-TMS-9-BBD trans-allylborane intermediate 11 reacts only after an aldehyde (or aldimine) is added. This allylation fixes the last two stereogenic centers of the 2-vinyl-1,3-diol stereotriad, ultimately resulting in 16 (or 1,3-amino alcohols) in 50-72% yield (>98% ee) as single observable diastereomers. These reagents 1 uniquely function as the equivalent of 1,1-bimetallic allylic reagents, adding sequentially first to ketones and second to aldehydes.