1,2,3-Triazolylidene-based mesoionic carbene boranes have been synthesized in a convenient one-pot protocol from the corresponding 1,2,3-triazolium salts, base, and borane. Borenium ions are obtained by hydride abstraction and serve as catalysts in mild hydrogenation reactions of imines and unsaturated N-heterocycles at ambient pressure and temperature.
Keywords: Lewis acids; borenium; catalysis; hydrogenation; mesoionic carbenes.
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