Development of Cobalt Catalysts for the meta-Selective C(sp2)–H Borylation of Fluorinated Arenes

Cobalt precatalysts for the meta-selective borylation of fluorinated arenes are described. Initial screening and stoichiometric reactivity studies culminated in the preparation of a cobalt alkyl precatalyst supported by the sterically protected terpyridine (5,5″-Me2 Ar Tpy = 4′-(4-N,N′-dimethyl­aminophenyl)-5,5″-dimethyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine). Under the optimized conditions, borylation with this precatalyst afforded up to 16 turnovers and near-exclusive meta regioselectivity with a range of substituted fluoroarenes in cyclopentyl methyl ether solvent at room temperature. Deuterium kinetic isotope effects of 2.9(2) at 23 °C support a turnover-limiting and selectivity-determining C­(sp2)–H activation step, and stoichiometric C–H activation experiments provided insights into the identity of the C–H activating intermediate in catalysis. Analysis of the relevant Co–C and C–H bond thermodynamics support that the thermodynamics of C–H activation favor ortho-to-fluorine selectivity, providing additional, indirect support for kinetic control of C–H activation as the origin of meta selectivity.