Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Indenyl Rhodium and Iridium Complexes Are Highly Selective Catalysts for Directed Hydroboration Reactions

Rhodium and iridium catalysts containing trifluoromethyl-substituted indenyl ligands (Ind'MCod, Ind' = C9H7, (1-CF3)C9H6, (2-CF3)C9H6, (1,3-CF3)2C9H5) have been developed for the directed hydroboration of 4-(benzyloxy)cyclohexene to cis-3-(benzyloxy)cyclohexanol. Compared to unsubstituted complexes, trifluoromethyl substitution yields a 3-10% increase in selectivity which is attributed to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the trifluoromethyl group. Rhodium complexes give selectivities of 74-84%, and iridium complexes give high levels of selectivity (93-98%).