The hydroboration of α-diimines.

The uncatalyzed addition of catecholborane to α-diimines has been examined. Reactions proceed smoothly at room temperature in the absence of a catalyst or additive, providing bis-hydroboration products with 3-coordinate boron centres or mono-hydroboration products with 4-coordinate boron centres, depending on the nature of the diimine reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]