Question:
What is meant by hydroboration-oxidation reaction? Illustrate it with an example.
Solution:
The addition of borane followed by oxidation is known as the hydroboration-oxidation reaction. For example, propan-1-ol is produced by the hydroboration-oxidation reaction of propene. In this reaction, propene reacts with diborane (BH3)2 to form trialkyl borane as an addition product. This addition product is oxidized to alcohol by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide.