Aluminabenzene–Rh and −Ir Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Application toward Catalytic C–H Borylation

Aluminabenzene–rhodium
and −iridium complexes were
synthesized, in which the aluminum atom played as a proximal Lewis
acidic site. Based on their structural analysis, aluminabenzene ligand
could coordinate to Rh and Ir as a η5-pentadienyl
ligand. The Lewis acidic character of aluminum atom in aluminabenzene
ligand was confirmed by treatment with 4-dimethylaminopyridine to
form the corresponding Lewis acid–base complexes. In addition,
the α-selective C–H borylation of triethylamine with
the aluminabenzene-ligated iridium catalyst was demonstrated.