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Low-valent metal complexes, particularly those based on earth-abundant metals, offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to precious metal catalysts. However, their intrinsic reactivity often limits their practical applications. Herein, we disclose the synthesis and characterization of two novel air- and moisture-stable nickel(0) complexes supported by electron-rich BIAN ligands. These complexes exhibit remarkable stability and catalytic activity in various industrially relevant C-C bond-forming reactions. Our results demonstrate the potential of these complexes as robust and versatile catalysts for a wide range of synthetic transformations. 

The catalytic hydroboration of imines, nitriles, and carbodiimides is a powerful method of preparing amines which are key synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of many value-added products. Imine hydroboration has perennially featured in notable reports while nitrile and carbodiimide hydroboration have gained attention recently. Initial developments in catalytic hydroboration of imines and nitriles employed precious metals and typically required harsh reaction conditions. More recent advances have shifted toward the use of base metal and main group element catalysis and milder reaction conditions. In this survey, we review metal and nonmetal catalyzed hydroboration of these unsaturated organic molecules and group them into three distinct categories: precious metals, base metals, and main group catalysts. The TON and TOF of imine hydroboration catalysts are reported and summarized with a brief overview of recent advances in the field. Mechanistic and kinetic studies of some of these protocols are also presented.