9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: a metal-free catalyst for the hydroboration of carbodiimides

Abstract

The commercial 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane dimer is used as the first example of a metal-free catalyst for the monohydroboration of carbodiimides with pinacol borane. Stoichiometric reactions, kinetic studies, and DFT calculations have allowed us to propose a plausible mechanism involving a heterocyclic amidinate intermediate with a three center-two electron B–H–B bond.