Preparation of ammonia borane in high yield and purity, methanolysis, and regeneration

Ammonia borane (AB) is emerging as a promising solid hydrogen carrier, particularly for power generation in portable devices that employ proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. A preparative-scale synthesis of AB from sodium borohydride and ammonium salts in high yields (> or =95%) and very high purity (> or =98%) has been described. The first systematic study of a transitional metal-catalyzed alcoholysis of AB, comparison of the methanolysis to the hydrolysis of AB, and regeneration of AB from ammonium tetramethoxyborate also has been described.     

One-pot allyl-/crotylboration-Prins cyclization of aldehydes

Multi-substituted tetrahydropyrans (THPs) have been prepared via a one-pot, In(OTf)₃-catalyzed, sequential allyl-/crotylboration-Prins cyclization. The homoallylic borate intermediate formed during the allyl- and crotylboration was converted in situ to an oxocarbenium ion and trapped with a nucleophile. The reaction has been extended to include a one-pot allylboration-cross Prins cyclization as well.     

One-pot asymmetric synthesis of 2- and 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran derivatives

A novel and convenient one-pot asymmetric synthesis of 2- and 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans has been achieved in 56-81% yields and 86-99% ee from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes via an allyl/crotyl/alkoxyallylboration-hydroboration-iodination-cyclization reaction sequence.