Recent Advances in Catalysis Using Organoborane-Mediated Hydride Abstraction

C-H functionalization is widely regarded as an important area in the development of synthetic methodology, enabling the design of more time- and atom-efficient syntheses. The ability of electron-deficient organoboranes to mediate hydride abstraction from α-amino C?H bonds is therefore of great interest, as the reactive iminium and hydridoborate moieties generated are able to participate in a range of synthetically useful transformations. In this review update, we cover the recent advances made in organoborane mediated hydride abstraction, with particular focus on the catalytic applications of electron deficient boranes for α- or β- functionalization, α,β-difunctionalization, and the dehydrogenation of amines.