Iridium-catalyzed C-H activation/borylation/oxidation for the preparation of bis-protected phloroglucinol derivatives

The preparation of bis-protected phloroglucinol derivatives from a range of protected resorcinol substrates is presented. Functionalization was achieved via a two-step, one-pot iridium-catalyzed C-H activation/borylation/oxidation protocol. Our system gave high conversions to the arylboronic esters and good yields of the desired phenols following subsequent oxidation. A range of common protecting group categories was studied including alkyl, silyl, ether and ester.