General Base‐Free Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reaction via Electrophilic Substitution Transmetalation

M Meng Zhang J Jing‐Ran Shan (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California Los Angeles California 90095 USA) Y Yuke Xie (College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China) L Lanen Wei (School of Chemical Sciences University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China) H Haigen Xiong (College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China) G Ge‐Ning Xie (College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China) T Ting Qi Q Qinqin Shi (College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) K K. N. Houk H Hui Huang (Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry)

Abstract

Abstract The transition‐metal‐catalyzed Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling (SMC) reaction of organoboron nucleophiles with aryl (pseudo)halide electrophiles is a reliable method for carbon‐carbon bond formation. This reaction generally requires the use of an exogenous base to promote transmetalation process, which limits the substrate scope of the reaction due to undesired protodeboronation and functional group incompatibilities. Here, we established a base‐free SMC reaction via a conceptually different electrophilic substitution transmetalation (EST). This transformation is applicable to a wide range of base‐sensitive and sterically hindered organoborons. Key to this advance is the formation of a stable cationic palladium(II) or nickel(II) intermediate via experimental and theoretical investigations. In a broader context, this research further expands the synthetic boundary of cross‐coupling chemistry.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 37
Published September 08, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

M

Meng Zhang

J

Jing‐Ran Shan

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California Los Angeles California 90095 USA

Y

Yuke Xie

College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China

L

Lanen Wei

School of Chemical Sciences University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China

H

Haigen Xiong

College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China

G

Ge‐Ning Xie

College of Materials Science and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P.R. China

T

Ting Qi

Q

Qinqin Shi

College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

K

K. N. Houk

H

Hui Huang

Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry