Boron Lewis Pair Mediated C–H Activation and Borylation

In the few past years, the chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) has enabled a plethora of transformations that would otherwise only be possible using transition metal catalysts. Of particular interest are C–H bond activation and borylation reactions, which are the subject of this review. The FLP borylation chemistry is compared with the early borylation methodologies using strongly electrophilic borenium ions. We present the mechanism of the C–H borylation using inter- and intramolecular Lewis pairs, along with some applications of these transformations.1 Introduction2 Electrophilic Borylation3 Intramolecular or Directed Electrophilic Borylation4 Intermolecular FLP-Mediated C–H Borylation5 Stoichiometric Borylation by Intramolecular FLPs5.1 Csp–H Borylation5.2 Csp2–H Borylation5.3 Csp3–H Borylation6 Catalytic Borylation by Intramolecular FLPs7 Catalytic Borylation by Self-Assembled FLPs8 Conclusion