Transmetalation of organic groups from zirconacycles to haloboranes: A new route to borolane compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)10307-0

The reaction of styrene and 'Cp₂Zr' forms the trans-2,5-diphenylzirconacycle. Transmetalation of this zirconacyle with an equivalent of boron trichloride forms the 1-chloro-trans-2,5-diphenylborolane with retention of stereochemistry. This B-chloroborolane is converted into other boranes and can be oxidized to the diol.