Abstract: The present disclosure provides tri-orthoalkylphenyl phosphine catalysts of formula I wherein A is CH2, C?O, or NRA; R1 is aryl, heteroaryl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl, wherein aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl are optionally substituted; R2 is H, (C1-C8)alkyl, (C1-C8)alkoxy, N(RA)2, or an electron withdrawing group; and each RA is independently H or (C1-C8)alkyl; that are tuned electrically and sterically.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tri-orthoalkylphenyl phosphine catalysts that are tuned electrically and sterically. Method of using the catalyst for cross-coupling of unactivated secondary boronic acids with near-perfect levels of site- and stereoretention are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for site- and stereo-retentive cross-couplings with unactivated secondary boronic acids, which methods are particularly useful in building block-based approach for small molecule synthesis. Also provided is a method of forming an air-stable chiral secondary boronic acid.

Abstract: Provided are methods for site- and stereo-retentive cross-couplings with unactivated secondary boronic acids, which methods are particularly useful in building block-based approach for small molecule synthesis. Also provided is a method of forming an air-stable chiral secondary boronic acid.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a method of making a hard armour panel or plate (10) including an energy absorbing ceramic tile (11) with a backing element (15) providing structural strength to the ceramic tile (11) adhered to a rear surface thereof, the method involving the steps of forming a stack of interleaved layers (16) of para-aramid fibre fabric interposed by thermoplastic film layers (17) conforming to the peripheral shape of the ceramic tile (11), placing the stack (15) of inter-leaved layers (16, 17) onto a rear face (13) of the ceramic tile (11) and positioning the tile and inter-leaved layers into an autoclave, within the autoclave, subjecting the stack of inter-leaved layers and the ceramic tile to a predetermined temperature and pressure regime for a period of time whereby the backing element (15) is formed into a single piece having a shape exactly conforming to the contour of the rear face (13) of the ceramic tile (11), and utilising high strength adhesive to adhere the backing element (1