Iridium-catalyzed regioselective B(3,6)-dialkenylation or B(4)-alkenylation of o -carboranes via B-H activation and 1,2-carbon migration of alkynes.

An efficient Ir-catalyzed cage boron alkenylation of 1-(2'-picolyl)- o -carboranes with diarylacetylenes has been developed, leading to a wide variety of B-H geminal addition products via 1,2-carbon migration of alkynes. The steric effect of cage carbon substituents has a great impact on the regioselectivity of such alkenylation reactions.