Ni-Catalyzed α-Selective C-H Borylations of Naphthalene-Based Aromatic Compounds.

The ability of α-borylated naphthalene-based aromatic compounds is important because it provides ready access to interesting novel extended π-systems. In this report, we disclose the Ni-catalyzed α-selective C-H borylations of naphthalene-based aromatic compounds. The reaction proceeds with peri-xanthenoxanthene and other aromatic compounds to regioselectively afford the α-borylated products without directing groups. The selectivities of these transformations are different from those of Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation reactions and can be used in a complementary manner.