Britannica AI Icon

hydroboration

chemical reaction

Quick Summary

Hydroboration is a chemical reaction where boron hydrides, such as BH3, are easily added to unsaturated organic compounds like alkenes and alkynes. This process, developed by Herbert C. Brown, leads to the formation of organoboranes. These organoboranes can then be further transformed into other organic compounds, such as alcohols, through oxidation. The hydroboration reaction is significant because it allows for stereospecific synthesis and proceeds with a regioselectivity opposite to the Markovnikov rule. This reaction was a key development in organic synthesis and contributed to Brown sharing the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1979.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.