CeO2-nanocubes as efficient and selective catalysts for the hydroboration of carbonyl groups

The CeO2-nanoparticle catalysed hydroboration of carbonyl compounds with HBpin (pin = OCMe2CMe2O) is reported to afford the corresponding borate esters in excellent yield. A series of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones having synthetically important functional groups were well-tolerated under mild reaction conditions. Further, chemoselective hydroboration of aldehydes over other reducible functional groups such as ketone, nitrile, hydroxide, alkene, alkyne, amide, ester, nitro, and halides was achieved. Importantly the catalyst can be recycled up to ten runs with slight loss in activity.

Automated summary

The hydroboration of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by CeO2 nanoparticles with HBpin led to the formation of borate esters in high yields. The reaction demonstrated good tolerance towards a variety of aldehydes and ketones with synthetically important functional groups, and showed chemoselectivity towards aldehydes over other reducible functional groups. The catalyst could be recycled up to ten runs with only a slight decrease in activity.