Synthesis of Silyl Heterocycles Using Transborylation

Abstract Silicon has been proposed as a nonclassical bioisostere to carbon in a ‘silicon-switch’ approach, however, the synthesis of complex molecules containing silyl heterocycles is still a significant challenge in preparing ‘silicon-switch’ molecules. Transborylation, the σ-bond metathesis between two boron species, has been utilized for the synthesis of complex molecules, in an orthogonal approach to transition-metal catalysis. Here, the use of transborylation catalysis for the synthesis of structurally diverse silyl heterocycles is highlighted. 1 Introduction 2 Transborylation in Catalysis 3 Silyl Heterocycles 4 Synthesis of Silyl Heterocycles Using Transborylation 5 Conclusions and Outlook