Iridium-catalyzed borylation of secondary benzylic C-H bonds directed by a hydrosilane.

Most functionalizations of C-H bonds by main-group reagents occur at aryl or methyl groups. We describe a highly regioselective borylation of secondary benzylic C-H bonds catalyzed by an iridium precursor and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline as the ligand. The reaction is directed to the benzylic position by a hydrosilyl substituent. This hydrosilyl directing group is readily deprotected or transformed to other functional groups after the borylation reaction, providing access to a diverse set of secondary benzylboronate esters by C-H borylation chemistry.