Practical and selective hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones in air catalysed by an iron(ii) coordination polymer

The in air catalytic hydroboration of ketones and aldehydes with pinacolborane by an iron(II) coordination polymer (CP) is carried out under mild and solvent-free conditions. The precatalyst is highly active towards a wide range of substrates including functionalized ketones and aldehydes in the presence of KOtBu as an activator, achieving a high turnover number (TON) of up to 9500. Excellent chemoselectivity to aldehydes over ketones was also revealed, which is in sharp contrast with the results obtained under inert atmosphere using the same catalyst system. This catalyst observed here is not only highly efficient but also recyclable for reuse for at least 5 times without losing its effectiveness.