Novel bis-acac-O,O-Ir(III) catalyst for anti-Markovnikov, hydroarylation of olefins operates by arene CH activation

A novel, thermally stable, homogeneous Ir catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov, hydroarylation of olefins is shown to operate by arene CH activation via the formation of a bisacac-O,O phenyl-Ir(III) species.