Radical Metal-Free Borylation of Aryl Iodides

A simple metal-free borylation of aryl iodides mediated by a fluoride sp2–sp3 diboron adduct is described. The reaction conditions are compatible with various functional groups. Electronic effects of substituents do not affect the borylation while steric hindrance does. The reaction proceeds via a radical mechanism in which pyridine serves to stabilize the boryl radicals, generated in situ.