Alkylaluminium complexes supported by Schiff base as pre-catalysts in hydroboration of alkynes and nitriles

Dinuclear Schiff base aluminium complexes (C1, C2) were synthesized from salicylaldehyde derivatives and 2-aminopyridine. Complexes C1 and C2 were characterized by NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Subsequently, the catalytic activity of C1 as a pre-catalyst for the hydroboration of alkynes and nitriles was investigated. It exhibited good functional group tolerance towards both terminal alkynes and nitriles under solvent-free and low-load conditions. The potential mechanism for the C1-catalyzed reaction of alkynes and nitriles with HBpin are proposed by the NMR spectroscopy of the intermediates.