Iridium-catalysed direct C–H functionalisation as a platform for stereoselective C–C bond formation

Transition-metal-catalysed direct C–H functionalisation has emerged as one of the most efficient molecular transformations, offering excellent atom and step economy. This methodology eliminates the need for pre-functionalisation of substrates, enabling the direct use of readily available starting materials, such as alkenes, to access valuable compounds. In particular, enantioselective variants of these reactions have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their utility in constructing complex molecules. In this context, iridium complexes have been effectively employed in enantioselective, atom- and step-economical transformations, enabling various types of C–H functionalisations, including hydroarylation and hydroalkylation. In this review, we summarise our recent studies on Ir-catalysed directing-group-assisted C–H bond addition to unsaturated bonds, together with related works from other research groups.