Hydroboration of alkynes and nitriles using an α-diimine cobalt hydride catalyst

Addition of NaEt3BH to (Ph2PPrDI)CoCl2 affords the corresponding monohydride, (Ph2PPrDI)CoH. X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations indicate that this compound possesses a radical monoanion α-DI chelate and a Co(II) centre. Notably, (Ph2PPrDI)CoH catalyzes the hydroboration of alkynes and dihydroboration of nitriles under mild conditions.