Catalyst-free dehydrocoupling of amines, alcohols, and thiols with pinacol borane and 9-borabicyclononane (9-BBN).

Contrary to recent reports, the dehydrocoupling of pinacol borane and 9-borabicyclononane with a variety of amines, alcohols and thiols can be achieved under mild conditions without catalyst. This process involves the formation of Lewis acid–base adducts featuring a hydridic B–H in close proximity to an acidic Nu–H.