Alkene isomerization-hydroboration promoted by phosphine-ligated cobalt catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.orglett.5b01135

Generated in situ from air-stable cobalt precursors or readily synthesized using NaHBEt₃, (PPh₃)₃CoH(N₂) was found to be an effective catalyst for the hydroboration of alkenes. Unlike previous base-metal catalysts for alkene isomerization-hydroboration which favor the incorporation of boron at terminal positions, (PPh₃)₃CoH(N₂) promotes boron incorporation adjacent to π-systems even in substrates where the alkene is at a remote position, enabling a unique route to 1,1-diboron compounds from α -dienes.