In the syntheses developed to access naturally occurring compounds, especially bioactive substances, boron-functionalized dienes (also "linchpin" reagents) are used as key reagents. Structurally unique dienes are found in nature, and play important biological and chemical roles. Recently, linchpin moieties have been proved as useful substrates for a variety of highly functionalized chemical transformations. The products of these processes are potentially of some use for the syntheses of an important class of natural products showing a wide range of biological activities. This review describes progress in the synthesis of borylsubstituted buta-1,3-dienes as well as their application in organic chemistry.