The central theme of the Molander group’s research is the development of new synthetic methods and their application to the synthesis of organic molecules. One of the group’s objectives is to expand and improve the installation of boron into organic substructures through the development of reagents such as bis-boronic acid, and to expand Suzuki coupling reactions of organoboron compounds. In this regard, robust, air- and water-stable potassium organotrifluoroborates (R-BF3K), are employed to carry out couplings under relatively mild conditions using non-toxic components. The group has recently developed an alternative mechanistic paradigm for cross-coupling using a double metal-catalyzed photoredox process, and we are also employing organotrifluoroborates as precursors to a variety of novel borazines. Finally, unique polyfluorinated organoborons are being developed.
