A catalytic, metal-free O-H bond insertion of α-diazoesters in water in the presence of B(CF)· nHO (2 mol %) was developed, affording a series of α-hydroxyesters in good to excellent yields. The reaction features easy operation and wide substrate scope, and importantly, no metal is needed as compared with the conventional methods. Significantly, this approach further expands the applications of B(CF) under water-tolerant conditions.

A challenging metal-free azide insertion of α-aryl αdiazoesters in the presence of B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 (5 mol %) was developed for the first time. The reaction features an easy operation, wide substrate scope, and mild conditions and affords the corresponding products in moderate to high yields. More importantly, alkene and alkyne functional groups were well tolerated because no cyclopropanation or cyclopropenation was observed. Furthermore, the corresponding azide products could be converted to primary amines or 1,2,3-triazole derivatives after simple transformations.

Boron‐catalyzed environmentally benign dehydrative Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of indole/pyrrole and aniline derivatives with β‐hydroxyl ketones has been developed for the first time. This method provides an efficient and green replacement of toxic and unstable methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) by safer and cheaper β‐hydroxyl ketone. The reaction features easy operation, wide substrate scope and significantly, only water is formed as by‐product.

An intriguing pyridine‐boryl radical‐mediated C−H alkynylation reaction of inactivated alkanes was described. The reaction features mild operation condition and wide substrate scope, and affords the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. Notably, The presence of 4‐cyanopyride N‐oxide was key to the success of the reaction. Cyclohexane are more easily to be functionalized in this reaction than toluene, which could be rationally explained by polarity‐match principle.