The Hydrogenation Of Non-functionalized Olefins Catalyzed By HB (C <6>

Homogeneous hydrogenation of olefins is of great importance for both laboratory and industry synthesis. The recent emerging chemistry of "frustrated Lewis pairs" provides a new strategy for metal-free hydrogenation. Various frustrated Lewis pair systems have been designed to effectively hydrogenate unsaturated complexes, such as imines, enamines and ynones. Metal-free hydrogenation of unfunctionalized, purely alkyl-substituted olefins under mild conditions still remains an unmet challenge.We have developed an efficient method for metal-free hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins by employing HB(C6F5)2 as the catalyst. The reaction proceeds under low pressure and a comparatively mild temperature. The key step in the catalytic reaction is believed to involve a novel borane-mediated σ-bond metathesis, which was investigated both experimentally and theoretically for the first time.