Metal free catalytic hydroboration of multiple bonds in methanol using N-heterocyclic carbenes under open atmosphere

An easy to operate method of catalytic hydroboration of unsaturated compounds has been developed with wide substrate scope. Reactions of various aldimines, ketimines, alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, and alkynes were successfully executed with bis(pinacolato)diboron and N-heterocyclic carbenes in methanol without requiring a transition metal or inert atmosphere.