C₂‐Symmetric Bicyclic Bisborane Catalysts: Kinetic or Thermodynamic Products of a Reversible Hydroboration of Dienes

AbstractWe prepared a new class of chiral C2‐symmetric bicyclic bisborane catalysts by addition reactions of internal dienes with the Piers borane, HB(C6F5)2, and an analogue, HB(p‐C6F4H)2. The dependence of the addition pattern on the reaction temperature allowed us to selectively prepare two diastereomeric catalysts from a single diene precursor. The bisboranes prepared in situ exhibited excellent activity (turnover numbers up to 200 at −40 °C) and enantioselectivity (up to 95 % ee) in imine hydrogenation reactions.