Bulky rhodium diimine complexes for the catalyzed borylation of vinylarenes

Rhodium(I) complexes containing the bulky diimine ligand (2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)DAB (DAB = 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene) have been prepared and characterized fully. The zwitterionic complex Rh(eta(6)-catBcat){(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)DAB} (3) was prepared in high yield by addition of B(2)cat(3) to Rh(acac){(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)DAB} (2). These rhodium complexes have been examined for their ability to catalyze the borylation of vinylarenes. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.