ortho-Directing Chromium Arene Complexes as Efficient Mediators for Enantiospecific C(sp²)–C(sp³) Cross-Coupling Reactions

A new strategy for the coupling of a broad scope of electronically diverse aromatics to boronic esters is reported. The coupling sequence, which relies on the directed ortho-lithiation of chromium arene complexes followed by boronate formation and oxidation, occurs with complete ortho-selectivity and enantiospecificity to give the coupling products in excellent yields and with high functional group tolerance. An intermediate chromium arene boronate complex was characterized by X-ray, NMR, and IR experiments to elucidate the reaction mechanism.