Radical reactions of borohydrides

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Borohydrides are established reagents for reduction via hydride transfer.
• Since the 1970s, borohydrides have also functioned as hydrogen-transfer reagents.
• There is a growing need for sustainable alternatives to tin hydrides in radical reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent progress in borohydride-mediated radical reactions.
• To highlight borohydrides as greener substitutes for tin hydrides.
• To cover the mechanistic aspects, including kinetics and DFT calculations, of hydrogen transfer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of borohydride-based radical reactions.
• Analysis of Giese reactions, radical carbonylation, and addition to HCHO.
• Examination of kinetic data and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.

Main Results:

• Borohydrides effectively mediate various radical C-C bond-forming reactions.
• These reactions offer a greener alternative to traditional tin hydride methods.
• The hydrogen transfer mechanism in borohydride reactions has been elucidated through kinetic and computational studies.

Conclusions:

• Borohydrides represent a significant advancement in sustainable radical chemistry.
• Their application extends to key transformations like Giese reactions and carbonylation.
• Further research into borohydride mechanisms supports their role as eco-friendly reagents.