Catalytic methodologies for the β-boration of conjugated electron deficient alkenes

The area of boron conjugate addition via diboration (beta-boration) has grown rapidly since the first examples appeared in the late 1990s. This article aims to give a comprehensive review of the current advances in beta-boration (of electron deficient alkenes), providing a commentary upon the development of the asymmetric version. To date, many mechanistic models have been put forward to explain the experimental observations and this review surveys some of these key ideas. Recently, the development of organocatalytic methodologies that facilitate beta-boration have also been demonstrated and current ideas regarding the mechanisms of such processes are examined.