The following dissertation discusses the development of iridium catalysts for theundirected borylation of alkyl C–H bonds and includes in-depth studies on the mechanism of
these transformations.
Chapter 1 contains a comprehensive review of applications of the borylation of C–H
bonds catalyzed by transition metals to the synthesis of complex molecules. This review is
subdivided into sections highlighting the state-of-the-art of methodology of the undirected and
directed borylation of aryl and alkyl C–H bonds, and focuses on the utility of these reactions
for the syntheses of drug precursors, complex bioactive molecules, and optoelectronic
materials. Additionally, the review contains a generalized overview of mechanisms by which
these reactions occur. Finally, this review provides the author’s opinion on future directions for
research on the borylation of alkyl C–H bonds.
Chapter 2 describes the development of iridium-catalyzed borylation of the bridgehead,
tertiary C–H bonds of bicyclopentanes and bicyclohexanes. Contained is an examination of the
scope of the borylation of bicyclopentanes, bicyclohexanes, oxabicyclohexanes, and
azabicyclohexanes. Also included are experimental and computational studies that reveal the
mechanism of this reaction.
Chapter 3 discusses the development of catalysts that enable the borylation of alkyl C–
H bonds to occur at mild temperatures (65 ºC). Key to this development was the discovery that
catalysts formed from 2-aminophenanthrolines and iridium undergo rapid activation and
catalyze the borylation of alkyl C–H bonds at reduced temperatures, maintaining activity even
at room temperature. Also included are experimental studies that provide initial information on
the identity of the active catalyst species.
Chapter 4 describes the mechanistic study of the origin of improved activation and
reaction rates of the borylation of alkyl C–H bonds catalyzed by 2-aminophenanthroline
complexes. Experimental studies enabled by a sterically protected aminophenanthroline
demonstrate that the N-boryl iridium trisboryl complex is the resting state and that the
corresponding N-boryl iridium bisboryl hydride complex is inactive for the borylation reaction.