Ru-Catalyzed ortho-selective diborylation of 2-arylpyridines toward the construction of π-conjugated functions.

A ruthenium catalytic ortho-C-H diborylation of 2-arylpyridine derivatives including the challenging 2-phenoxypyridine functions, using a remarkably low catalyst loading and a low-cost and bench-stable boron source has been developed. The novel strategy shows high activity with excellent selectivity, and may offer a versatile and green alternative to currently em-ployed high loadings of noble metals, or extra additives for the selective borylations.