Tetrahydroxydiboron (Bis‐boric Acid): a Versatile Reagent for Borylation, Hydrogenation, Catalysis, Radical Reactions and H2 Generation

Abstract

AbstractDiboron compounds with a B−B bond, discovered with B2Cl4 a century ago, have been developed only since the turn of this century for catalyzed borylation reactions, mostly with the well‐know reagent bis(binacolato)diboron, (B2pin2). On the other hand, chemistry of tetrahydroxydiboron (THDB), also named bis‐boric acid, is relatively underdeveloped. In this review, the properties of THDB as a borylation, reductant (including transfer hydrogenation), catalyst, source of radicals and generator of H2 from water upon hydrolysis are summarized.