Regulation of Iron-Catalyzed Olefin Hydroboration by Ligand Modifications at a Remote Site

An amide-derived N,N,N-Fe­(II) complex catalyzes the hydroboration of alkenes at room temperature. Alkylation of a remote site on the ligand backbone was used as a late-stage modification to provide a more electrophilic complex as determined by electrochemical studies. The alkylated variant, compared to the parent complex, catalyzes olefin hydroboration with an increased reaction rate and exhibits distinct regioselectivity for internal alkene hydroboration.