Chemistry Forum

Hi I did a reaction for an organic chemistry lab that was a hydroboration-oxidation of styrene using borane dimethylsulfide and THF as the solvents, then hydrogen peroxide and NaOH, to produce 2-phenylethanol. I cannot figure out how to balance this reaction, due to the solvents, but I have refreshed myself on stoichiometry. Can anybody help?

The boran will add to the vinyl doublebond of styrene and build the Anti Markovnikov product. You have 2-Phenyl-ethylboran. With Peroxid you can oxidise it and get the alcohol.

C₆H₅-CH=CH₂ + BH₃(CH₃)₂S => C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-BH₂ + (CH₃)₂S

C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-BH₂ + 3 H₂O₂ + 3 OH- => C₆H₅-CH₂-CH₂-OH + BO₃ 3- + 5 H₂O