Magnesium-catalyzed hydroboration of organic carbonates, carbon dioxide and esters

Abstract

A low-valent magnesium(i) complex [(XylNacnac)Mg]2 was employed as a highly efficient precatalyst for the hydroboration of a variety of cyclic and linear organic carbonates, polycarbonates, CO2 and esters with HBpin under mild conditions. The resultant boronates can be used for the preparation of the corresponding value-added diols, triols or alcohols through hydrolysis.