Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a compound of the FormulaM (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N.BH.sub.3)or a complex thereof of the FormulaM (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N.BH.sub.3).xLwhereinM is Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs;R.sup.1 is H, an aliphatic C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 residue, an aromatic residue, or a cycloaliphatic residue;R.sup.2 is H, an aliphatic C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 residue, an aromatic residue, or a cycloaliphatic residue; orR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form a common cyclic residue;L is a dipolar aprotic solvent; andx is a numerical value from 0.1 to 5, which comprises the steps of:(a) where the compound of the Formula M(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N.BH.sub.3) is prepared, reacting a compound of the FormulaR.sup.1 R.sup.2 NH.BH.sub.3with an alkali metal or an alkali metal amide in a non-polar aliphatic or aromatic solvent; or(b) where the complex of the Formula M(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N.BH.sub.3).xL is prepared, reacting the compound of the FormulaR.sup.1 R.sup.2 NH.BH.sub.

Abstract: A process is described in which catecholborane is produced by a reaction of a phenolic compound with a boron hydride in a solvent. Tris(catecholato)bisborane, i.e. the ester of boric acid and catechol, is reacted with an alkali metal-boron hydride in an aliphatic ether. A lithium halide is suitably used too, where sodium-boron hydride or potassium-boron hydride is employed. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction is carried out in conjunction with an activating grinding operation.

Abstract: In a process for hydroboronizing alkenes or alkynes with catecholborane (1,3,2-benzodioxaborolane) optionally in the presence of an added organic solvent the reaction is catalyzed by a complex compound having one of the formulas:(I) RhCl(CO).sub.x [E(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 ].sub.3-x' wherein "E" is arsenic or phosphorous and "x" equals 0 or 1,(II) [RhCl(alkene).sub.2 ].sub.2'(III) [(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P].sub.3 3 Ru(CO)ClH or(IV) [(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P].sub.3 RuCl.sub.2,particularly suitable catalysts are, e.g. tris (triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) chloride and bis(cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) chloride.