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Boron Cluster as Efficient Shuttle for Electrocatalytic Radical H/D Exchange

  • Date:2025-06-11
  • Hits:
  • DOI number: 

    10.1038/s41929-025-01379-6
  • Journal: 

    Nature Catalysis
  • Key Words: 

    Meng He# , Xuefan Deng#, Fengze Yao# , Yachun Wang , Yuan Gao , Pengjie Wang , Qiongqiong Wan , Liwei Wang , Kaixiang Chen , Hong Yi , Haibo Zhang* , Wu Li*, and Aiwen Lei*. Boron Cluster as Efficient Shuttle for Electrocatalytic Radical H/D Exchange. Nature Catalysis, 2025.
  • Abstract: 

    The hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) for deuterium labeling of C(sp3)-H bonds under mild conditions remains a key challenge in drug development and synthesis. Here, we report an electrocatalytic strategy enabling rapid (<10 min), ambient-condition deuteration of diverse natural products and pharmaceuticals. Using boron clusters (TBA)2B10H10 as electrocatalysts, anodically generated [B10H10]•- intermediates undergo hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) with C(sp3)-H/D bonds, forming stabilized [B10H10H/D]- species. Cathodic reduction then triggers selective H/D exchange with carbon radicals, regenerating the catalyst. The boron cluster modulates reactive H/D radicals via reversible electron transfer, balancing radical activity and stability to enable efficient labeling without harsh reagents. This method achieves broad substrate compatibility and high deuterium incorporation, demonstrated with complex drug molecules. By integrating electrocatalysis with boron cluster-mediated HAT, we provide a general platform for C(sp3)-H deuteration, advancing isotope-labeling applications in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
  • Indexed by: 

    Journal paper
  • Document Code: 

    10.1038/s41929-025-01379-6
  • Discipline: 

    Natural Science
  • Document Type: 

    J
  • Page Number: 

    accepted
  • Translation or Not: 

    no
  • Date of Publication: 

    2025-06-11
  • Included Journals: 

    SCI