Concept of Ir-catalyzed C[sbnd]H bond activation/borylation by noncovalent interaction

Abstract

Noncovalent interactions play a fundamental role in molecular biology, crystal engineering, supramolecular chemistry, drug design, sensing applications, and many other research fields in the chemical sciences. Because of this importance, thorough research efforts have been focused on the interpreting and quantifying these interactions, which include H-bonding, electrostatic effects, ππ interaction, cation-π interaction, hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction, van der Waals forces, and other such type of interactions. However, on the synthetic standpoint, use of these noncovalent interactions are rare, although might be beneficial for the site-selective CH bond activation and functionalization by transition metal catalysis. In this context, iridium-catalyzed CH borylation has gained immense popularity due to the versatility conferred to the CB bonds. Very recently, researchers have started employing these interactions as a governing factor for attaining regioselectivity in arene CH borylation. In this perspective, we will focus on the advancements made so far by the use of various noncovalent interactions in Ir-catalyzed borylations.