Direct Dimesitylborylation of Benzofuran Derivatives by an Iridium-Catalyzed C-H Activation with Silyldimesitylborane.

Direct dimesitylborylation of benzofuran derivatives by a C-H activation catalyzed by an iridium(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex in the presence of Ph2 MeSi-BMes2 afforded the corresponding dimesitylborylation products in good to high yield with excellent regioselectivity. This method provides a straightforward route to donor-(π-spacer)-acceptor systems with intriguing solvatochromic luminescence properties.