Low-valent-tungsten catalysis enables hydroboration of esters and nitriles.

In the research presented herein, low-valent-tungsten-catalyzed hydroboration of esters and nitriles was investigated. Aromatic and aliphatic substrates were smoothly reduced to corresponding alcohol derivatives and ,-diborylamines in the presence of W(CO)(NCMe). Valuable derivatives were conveniently accessed by introducing a further functionalization process to crude hydroboration mixtures in one pot.