Highly regioselective Ir-catalyzed beta-borylation of porphyrins via C-H bond activation and construction of beta-beta-linked diporphyrin.

Highly regioselective borylation of 5,15-diaryl- and 5,10,15-triarylporphyrins has been achieved by the reaction with bis(pinacolato)diborane under iridium catalysis. Borylated porphyrins are a useful building block for constructing porphyrin arrays, hence offering an effective route to beta-functionalized porphyrins.