Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of meta benzene isosteres

Nature, Published online: 21 August 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07865-4

A palladium-catalysed reaction converts hydrocarbon-derived precursors to chiral boron-containing nortricyclanes, and the shape of these nortricyclanes makes them plausible isosteres for meta disubstituted aromatic rings.