[(NacNac)Zn(DMT)][B(C6F5)4], 1, (NacNac = {(2,6-
i
Pr2H3C6)N(CH3)C}2CH), DMT
= N,N-dimethyl-4-toluidine), was synthesized via
two routes starting from either (NacNac)ZnEt or (NacNac)ZnH. Complex 1 is an effective (pre)catalyst for the C–H borylation
of (hetero)arenes using catecholborane (CatBH) with H2 the
only byproduct. The scope included weakly activated substrates such
as 2-bromothiophene and benzothiophene. Computational studies elucidated
a plausible reaction mechanism that has an overall free energy span
of 22.4 kcal/mol (for N-methylindole borylation),
consistent with experimental observations. The calculated mechanism
starting from 1 proceeds via the displacement of DMT
by CatBH to form [(NacNac)Zn(CatBH)]+, D,
in which CatBH binds via an oxygen to zinc which makes the boron center
much more electrophilic based on the energy of the CatB-based LUMO.
Combinations of D and DMT act as a frustrated Lewis pair
(FLP) to effect C–H borylation in a stepwise process via an
arenium cation that is deprotonated by DMT. Subsequent B–H/[H-DMT]+ dehydrocoupling and displacement from the coordination sphere
of zinc of CatBAr by CatBH closes the cycle. The calculations also
revealed a possible catalyst decomposition pathway involving hydride
transfer from boron to zinc to form (NacNac)ZnH which reacts with
CatBH to ultimately form Zn(0). In addition, the key rate-limiting
transition states all involve the base, thus fine-tuning of the steric
and electronic parameters of the base enabled a further minor enhancement
in the C–H borylation activity of the system. Outlining the
mechanism for all steps of this FLP-mediated process will facilitate
the development of other main group FLP catalysts for C–H borylation
and other transformations.