Iron-Based Catalyst for Borylation of Unactivated Alkyl Halides without Using Highly Basic Organometallic Reagents.

The mild borylation of alkyl bromides and chlorides with bis(neopentylglycolato)diborane (B2neop2) mediated by iron-bis amide is described. The reaction proceeds with a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. Moreover, sufficient catalytic activity was obtained for primary and secondary alkyl halides. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through a radical pathway.