RAPID REACTION OF TRIALKYLBORANES WITH LITHIUM ALUMINUM-HYDRIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF TRIETHYLENEDIAMINE - FACILE AND QUANTITATIVE SYNTHESIS OF LITHIUM TRIALKYLBOROHYDRIDES INCLUDING DERIVATIVES WITH EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE STERIC REQUIREMENTS

Addition of 1 mol equiv of lithium aluminum hydride to a diethyl ether (EE) solution of trialkylborane, in the presence of 1 mol equiv of triethylenediamine (TED) at 0 °C, results in a facile and rapid transfer of hydride to form the corresponding lithium trialkylborohydride in quantitative yield, with concurrent precipitation of aluminum hydride-triethylenediamine. The reaction is general, applicable even to the synthesis of lithium trialkylborohydrides with exceptionally large steric requirements. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.