Borataalkene Hydrofunctionalization Reactions

The hydrofunctionalization of alkenes is a foundational class of reactions; however, the analogous reactions for BC bond-containing species have been virtually unexplored. This work unearths a range of BC hydrofunctionalization reactions with the 9-borataphenanthrene anion, including hydroalkylation, hydroarylation, hydroalkynylation, hydroamination, hydroalkoxylation, and hydration. The unique reactivity represents an addition to the synthetic chemist’s toolbox to access functionalized tetracoordinate borates.