Advances in transition metal-free deborylative transformations of gem-diborylalkanes

Abstract

Carbanions serve as key intermediates in a variety of chemical transformations. Particularly, α-borylcarbanions have received considerable attention in recent years because of their peculiar properties, including the ability of boron atom resonance to stabilise the adjacent negatively charged carbon atom. This feature article summarises recent progress in the synthetic utilisation of α-borylcarbanions, including carbon–carbon bond formation with alkyl halides, alkenes, N-heteroarenes, and carbonyls. Carbon–boron bond formation in organohalides mediated by α-borylcarbanions is also summarised.