Transition‐Metal‐Free Diboration Reaction by Activation of Diboron Compounds with Simple Lewis Bases

Abstract

Changing behavior: A nucleophilic sp2 carbene-type boryl moiety, formed upon interaction of tetraalkoxydiboranes and a Lewis base, can attack non-activated CC bonds. Computational studies identify the interaction as the overlap between the strongly polarized BB σ bond (HOMO) and the antibonding π* orbital (LUMO) of the CC bond. Conceptually, the normally electrophilic boron becomes nucleophilic and forces the olefin to act as an electrophile. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.