Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry (Sep 2022)

B–N/B–H Transborylation: borane-catalysed nitrile hydroboration

  • Filip Meger,
  • Alexander C. W. Kwok,
  • Franziska Gilch,
  • Dominic R. Willcox,
  • Alex J. Hendy,
  • Kieran Nicholson,
  • Andrew D. Bage,
  • Thomas Langer,
  • Thomas A. Hunt,
  • Stephen P. Thomas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.18.138
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 1332 – 1337

Abstract

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The reduction of nitriles to primary amines is a useful transformation in organic synthesis, however, it often relies upon stoichiometric reagents or transition-metal catalysis. Herein, a borane-catalysed hydroboration of nitriles to give primary amines is reported. Good yields (48–95%) and chemoselectivity (e.g., ester, nitro, sulfone) were observed. DFT calculations and mechanistic studies support the proposal of a double B–N/B–H transborylation mechanism.

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