Boron in Medicinal and Organic Chemistry

Abstract

Nowadays, boron-containing compounds have gained researchers’ attention because of the wide versatility and applicability of this element in both organic and medicinal chemistry. Since its discovery, its use in medicinal chemistry was neglected because of its possible toxic effects. However, in the past years, boron-containing compounds did not show such effects, and some drugs have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat diseases, including cancer, infections, and inflammation. Several boroncontaining compounds are used in organic and medicinal chemistry, either as a reagent or therapeutic agent. The chemical properties of this element make its use possible in organic synthesis as a reducing agent and catalyst, mainly in cross-coupling reactions. Among boroncontaining compounds, boranes, azaborines, benzoxaborole, boronic acid, and boron derivatives are most commonly described. This review article discusses the main properties of boron-containing compounds, their preparation by organic synthesis, as well as their applications in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry fields, developing new perspectives for further investigations.