A simple synthesis of functionalized 3-methyl-1-pyridinyl-1H-imidazolium salts as bidentate N-heterocyclic-carbene precursors and their application in Ir-catalyzed arene borylation

The selective alkylation of functionalized 2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridines 1 furnishes 3-methyl-1-pyridinyl-1H-imidazolium salts 2, which can be deprotonated to deliver strongly electron-donating bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC). The synthesis of these ligands and their application in the iridium-catalyzed C-H activated borylation of arenes with its current scope and limitations are reported.