Answer:
To fulfill octet of B atom in borane, nucleophilic attack by pi electrons of alkene takes place with electrophilic B center in borane.
Explanation:
In Borane ([tex]BH_{3}[/tex]), B atom has energetically vacant 2p orbital and thereby octet is incomplete.Therefore B center in borane act as an electrophilic center.
In alkene, pi bonding electrons are loosely bound together due to side on overlap of two constituent p-orbitals. Hence this pi bond can be easily broken. Alternatively, we can say that pi bond in alkene act as a potential nucleophile.
The first step of hydroboration occurs in a concerted manner where pi electrons of alkene first attack vacant 2p orbital of B in borane to fulfill it's octet (represented by an arrow drawn from alkene to B atom) and forms a 4 memebered cyclic intermediate. Simulaneously, a B-H bond in borane is donated to alkene through 3c-2e bond (3 center-2 electron bond).
Full mechanism has been shown below.
