Reactions of mercuriated polystyrenes with boron hydrides

Abstract Linear and cross-linked polystyrenes were mercuriated using mercury(II)trifluoracetate in dichloromethane, dioxane, and THF as solvents, and examples of the mercuriated polymers reacted with a range of boron hydrides to give, after hydrolysis, polymers containing boronic acid groups. The extents of mercuriation, and the efficiencies of the transmetallation reaction in which mercury was replaced by boron were compared for different reactants and conditions.