The silaboration of 1.1.1propellane enables direct introduction of B and Si functional groups onto the bicyclo1.1.1pentane (BCP) scaffold in high yield under mild, additive-free conditions. The silaborated BCP can be obtained on a gram-scale in a single step without the need for column-chromatographic purification, and is storable and easy to handle, providing a versatile synthetic intermediate for BCP derivatives. We also describe various conversions of the C-B/C-Si bonds on the BCP scaffold, including development of a modified Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction at the highly sterically hindered bridgehead sp3 carbon center of the BCP skeleton using a combination of highly activated BCP boronic esters, copper(I) oxide, and a PdCl2 (dppf) catalyst system.
Kondo et al. (2019) studied this question.