Boric acid can be used as a catalyst to synthesize:
- N-substituted cinnamamides via amidation reaction between cinnamic acid and benzylamines.
- β-Aminoalcohols through the regioselective epoxides ring opening with aromatic amines in the presence of glycerol as a co-catalyst.
- Organosulfur compounds via thia-Michael addition of thiols to α, β-unsaturated compounds.
It can also be used as an activator for the solvent-free reduction of aldehydes and ketones to alcohols in the presence of sodium borohydride.