Molecular iodine initiates hydroborations of alkenes with N-heterocyclic carbene boranes.

The hydroboration of alkenes of diverse structural types by assorted N-heterocyclic carbene boranes can be accomplished by addition of 5-10% diiodine. For example, reaction of 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene borane (diMe-Imd-BH3) with 10% I2 followed by addition of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene provided the corresponding thexyl NHC-borane (diMe-Imd-BH2thexyl) in 75% yield. This and related monohydroboration products are stable to chromatography and storage. The scope of the new reaction is described, and the mechanism is probed by (11)B NMR experiments.