Catalyst-controlled selectivity in the C–H borylation of methane and ethane

Methane borylation in a cyclohexane sea Although methane combusts readily at high temperatures, it is generally the hardest hydrocarbon to transform under gentler conditions, owing to its particularly strong C-H bonds. Cook et al. now show that soluble rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium catalysts can slice through these C-H bonds to add boron substituents to methane at 150°C. Smith et al. report the iridium-catalyzed reaction using phosphine ligands to enhance activity. Both studies were performed in cyclohexane solvent, revealing a remarkable selective preference for the methane reaction over functionalization of the cyclic hydrocarbon. Science , this issue pp. 1421 and 1424