Highly efficient hydroboration of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by tris (methylcyclopentadienyl)lanthanide complexes

Homoleptic lanthanide complexes coordinated by a Me-substituted Cp ligand [(MeCp)(3)Ln] demonstrate unprecedentedly high efficiency in catalyzing the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones with pinacolborane. This protocol is also applicable for the hydroboration of aryl-substituted imines. In addition, broad functional group compatibility and excellent chemoselectivity is also achieved. DFT calculations are employed to shed light on the reaction mechanism.