Diverse functionalization of strong alkyl C–H bonds by undirected borylation

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aba6146
• Publication Date: 2020-05-14T23:09:47Z
• Authors: Raphael Oeschger; Bo Su; Isaac Yu; Christian Ehinger; Erik Romero; Sam He; John Hartwig
• Keywords: Borylation

Speeding up borylation Catalytic is the rare reaction that can selectively target stronger over weaker saturated carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds. However, trade-off has been slow and requires high excess of hydrocarbon. Oeschger et al. now report right ligand (2-methylphenanthroline) coordinated to iridium accelerate by 50- 80-fold. This rate enhancement enables selective primary C–H bonds with hydrocarbon as limiting reagent. The also unusually for β-C–H in heterocycles. Science , this issue p. 736