Repurposing a supramolecular iridium catalyst secondary Zn⋯O[double bond, length as m-dash]C weak interactions between the ligand and substrate leads to -selective C(sp)-H borylation of benzamides with unusual kinetics.

The iridium-catalyzed C-H borylation of benzamides typically leads to and selectivities using state-of-the-art iridium-based ,-chelating bipyridine ligands. However, reaching selectivity patterns requires extensive trial-and-error screening molecular design at the ligand first coordination sphere. Herein, we demonstrate that triazolylpyridines are excellent ligands for the selective iridium-catalyzed C-H borylation of tertiary benzamides and, importantly, we demonstrate the almost negligible effect of the first coordination sphere in the selectivity, which is so far unprecedented in iridium C-H bond borylations. Remarkably, the activity is dramatically enhanced by exploiting a remote Zn⋯O[double bond, length as m-dash]C weak interaction between the substrate and a rationally designed molecular-recognition site in the catalyst. Kinetic studies and DFT calculations indicate that the iridium-catalyzed C-H activation step is not rate-determining, this being unique for remotely controlled C-H functionalizations. Consequently, a previously established supramolecular iridium catalyst designed for -borylation of pyridines is now compatible with the -borylation of benzamides, a regioselectivity switch that is counter-intuitive regarding precedents in the literature. In addition, we highlight the role of the cyclohexene additive in avoiding the formation of undesired side-products as well as accelerating the HBpin release event that precedes the catalyst regeneration step, which is highly relevant for the design of powerful and selective iridium borylating catalysts.