Hydroboration of alkynes and nitriles using an α-diimine cobalt hydride catalyst

Addition of NaEt3BH to ((DI)-D-Ph2PPr)CoCl2 affords the corresponding monohydride, ((DI)-D-Ph2PPr)CoH. X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations indicate that this compound possesses a radical monoanion alpha-DI chelate and a Co(II) centre. Notably, ((DI)-D-Ph2PPr)CoH catalyzes the hydroboration of alkynes and dihydroboration of nitriles under mild conditions.