Metal-free disproportionation of formic acid mediated by organoboranes

Abstract

In the presence of dialkylboranes, formic acid is converted to formaldehyde and methanol derivatives. This is the first example of formate disproportionation under metal-free conditions. Mechanistic studies highlight the role of transient borohydrides in the reduction of formates and this is further shown in transfer hydroboration for aldehyde reduction.