Lithium compounds as single site catalysts for hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes

The hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes using easily accessible lithium compounds [2,6-di-tert-butyl phenolatelithium (1a) and 1,1 ' dilithioferrocene (1b)] has been achieved with good yields, high functional group tolerance and excellent chemoselectivity. Deuterium-labeling experiments confirm the cis-addition of pinacolborane. The methodology has been further extended to myrcene, which undergoes selective 4,3-hydroboration. DFT calculations provide insights into the mechanism.