Nickel-Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl and Benzyl 2-Pyridyl Ethers: A Method for Converting a Robust ortho-Directing Group

The nickel-catalyzed borylation of aryl 2-pyridyl ethers via the loss of a 2-pyridyloxy group is described. This method allows a 2-pyridyloxy group to be used as a convertible directing group in C-H bond functionalization reactions. The nickel catalyst can also borylate arylmethyl 2-pyridyl ethers, in which the stereochemistry at the benzylic position is retained in the case of chiral secondary benzylic substrates.