Iridium-catalyzed borylation of secondary C-H bonds in cyclic ethers.

The borylation of secondary C-H bonds, specifically secondary C-H bonds of cyclic ethers, with a catalyst generated from tetramethylphenanthroline and an iridium precursor is reported. This borylation occurs with unique selectivity for the C-H bonds located β to the oxygen atoms over the weaker C-H bonds located α to oxygen atoms. Mechanistic studies imply that the C-H bond cleavage occurs directly at the β position rather than at the α position followed by isomerization of a reaction intermediate.