A simple and modular strategy for small molecule synthesis: Iterative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of B-protected haloboronic acid building blocks

We herein describe a simple and highly modular strategy for small molecule synthesis involving the iterative cross-coupling of B-protected bifunctional haloboronic acids. Enabling this approach, we have newly discovered that the pyramidalization of boronic acids via complexation with the trivalent ligand N-methyliminodiacetic acid inhibits their reactivity towards cross-coupling. This ligand is remarkably stable to anhydrous Suzuki-Miyaura conditions yet readily cleaved using mild aqueous base (1 M aqueous NaOH/THF, 10 min, 23 °C or saturated aqueous NaHCO₃/MeOH, 23 °C, 6 h). Although the reactivity of aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, and alkyl boronic acids can vary dramatically, this methodology is effective for protecting and deprotecting all four classes of nucleophiles. Harnessing this potential, we achieved the first total synthesis of the natural product ratanhine using the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction iteratively to bring together a collection of easily synthesized, readily purified, and highly robust building blocks.