In recent years, pincer complexes centrally anchored by Group 13 elements have emerged and demonstrated exceptional reactivity. Specifically, boron-based pincer complexes have been differentiated from pincer complexes anchored by other elements by their unique Lewis acidity. One function derived from the boron’s Lewis acidic p-oribital is its utility as a regioselective directing group for Lewis basic substrates. For example, initial observations of a (PBP)Ir complex have demonstrated that boron’s Lewis acidic p-orbital functions as an exceptional <i>ortho</i>- regioselective directing group for C-H bond activation of Lewis basic pyridines. Further mechanistic investigations have shed light on the formation of a boryl intermediate that is responsible for this high degree of regioselective bond activation. Subsequent experiments with other Lewis bases, including pharmaceutically relevant substrates, have expanded the substrate scope of (PBP)Ir compounds.

Reactivity of pincer complexes centrally anchored by boron

ACS Spring 2022

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