Base-free nickel-catalyzed hydroboration of simple alkenes with bis(pinacolato)diboron in an alcoholic solventElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7gc02282d

A base-free nickel-catalyzed hydroboration of unreactive simple alkenes with bis(pinacolato)diboron using methanol as the hydride source under mild conditions has been developed. Methanol as the solvent proved to be critical for the base-free conditions and high reactivity. A series of linear alkylboronates were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. A base-free nickel-catalyzed hydroboration of unreactive simple alkenes with bis(pinacolato)diboron using methanol as the hydride source under mild conditions has been developed.