The Versatile Organoboranes

The ready availability of organoboranes next prompted a detailed exploration of their reactions, with emphasis on reactions of utility in synthesis. This exploration proved to be remarkably fruitful—it is clear that the organoboranes are the most versatile organometallic available to the chemist (47, 48). 

Even though our program in this area is relatively young, with serious research being initiated only five years ago, the results can no longer be adequately treated in a brief review. Consequently, I can only attempt to indicate the scope of the developments by listing the topics discussed in a recent review (48). 

The following transformations indicate some of the new possibilities for synthetic work (58, 60, 64-66). 

Only a few years have passed since we initiated our systematic survey of the reactions of organoboranes. Optimistic as I was at the time this exploration was initiated, I must admit my own surprise at the immense amount of promising new chemistry that our studies have uncovered. 

We have been fully occupied by our explorations. There has been no attempt as yet, in our laboratories or in others , to apply the chemistry to the synthesis of natural products or pharmaceuticals there has been no attempt to utilize the chemistry for industrial requirements, nor has there yet been any systematic effort to develop the physical organic aspects of this area. All that is still before us. Another major task before us is that of educating students in the experimental methods and techniques of this area of chemistry so that they will not hesitate to apply these fascinating new methods. Clearly we have uncovered a new continent, only partially explored. It will require a major effort on the part of many chemists to continue the exploration and to apply the chemistry for the benefit of mankind. 

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