New organic synthetic methods using the NaBH < sup > 4 < /sup > /I < inf > 2 < /inf > system

Abstract

Research efforts in this laboratory revealed that the readily accessible and easy to handle NaBH4/I2 reagent system can be used in place of other hydride reagents in several synthetic applications. The diborane generated using the NaBH4/I2 reagent system has been used for the preparation of iodoborane-amine complexes that have good synthetic potential. An interesting catalytic process involving hydroboration with weak complexes of borane and Lewis bases followed by exchange of the alkyl group to catechol borane has been developed. The H3B:THF prepared in situ in THF using NaBH4 and I2 is useful for reduction of functional groups.