Cobalt pincer-type complexes demonstrating unique selectivity for the hydroboration reaction of olefins under mild conditions

The hydroboration of alkenes catalyzed using an inexpensive and easily accessible Earth-abundant cobalt pincer complex based on a PN5P triazine backbone is reported. The presented protocol allows efficient anti-Markovnikov functionalization of alkenes bearing a wide range of functional groups (unsaturated amines, carbonates, ethers, vinylarenes, vinylsilanes, and natural products) under mild conditions with high yields. Moreover, the presented procedure exhibits unique selectivity distinguishing vinylsilyl groups from other alkenyl or alkyne groups, leading to an interesting class of bifunctional compounds that have potential application in the synthesis of advanced materials. Their application potential was demonstrated by several model transformations.