Magnesium-catalyzed hydroboration of organic carbonates, carbon dioxide and esters

The low-valent magnesium(I) complex [(XylNacnac)Mg]2 was employed as a highly efficient precatalyst for the hydroboraton of a variety of cyclic and linear organic carbonates, polycarbonates, CO2 and esters with HBpin under mild conditions. The resultant boronates can be used for the preparation of the corresponding value-added diols, triol or alcohols through hydrolysis.