Directed ortho borylation of functionalized arenes catalyzed by a silica-supported compact phosphine-iridium system.

An immobilized monophosphine-Ir system, which was prepared in situ from [Ir(OMe)(cod)](2) and a silica-supported, compact phosphine, showed high activities and selectivities for the borylation of aromatic C-H bonds with bis(pinacolato)diboron. This system was effective not only for the borylation of benzene but also for the ortho borylation of arenes with directing groups, such as ester, amide, sulfonate, acetal, alkoxymethyl, and chloro groups, under mild reaction conditions.