Synthesis and Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions of 2,6-Bis(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-4-boronic Acid Pinacol Ester

Iridium-catalyzed aromatic borylation provides quick one-step access to 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-4-boronic acid pinacol ester. Suzuki couplings of this highly electron-deficient pyridine-4-boronic ester with various (hetero)aryl bromides was successfully carried out and the coupled products were obtained in 46–95% isolated yields. Double and triple Suzuki couplings, with dibromo- and tribromoarenes, respectively, were also achieved. Thus demonstrating that this pyridine-4-boronic ester can be a useful source for the installation of one of the strongest electron-withdrawing aromatic group in organic compounds.