Iridium and rhodium complexes bearing a silyl-bipyridine pincer ligand: synthesis, structures and catalytic activity for C-H borylation of arenes

Unsaturated 16-electron iridium and rhodium complexes bearing a silyl-bipyridine-based SiNN-pincer ligand (Bpy(SiNN)) were synthesised and characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The iridium-Bpy(SiNN) complex facilitated the catalytic C(sp(2))-H borylation of arenes to give arylboronate esters in high yields (>= 93%) under mild conditions (similar to 40 degrees C).

Automated summary

Unsaturated 16-electron iridium and rhodium complexes with a silyl-bipyridine-based SiNN-pincer ligand (Bpy(SiNN)) were synthesized and characterized. The iridium-Bpy(SiNN) complex successfully catalyzed the C(sp(2))-H borylation of arenes under mild conditions (around 40 degrees C), yielding arylboronate esters with high yields (>= 93%).