Applications of the boron–zinc exchange reaction to make new carboncarbon bonds are reviewed. Functionalized chiral secondary alkylzinc reagents can be prepared by this exchange reaction and allows to perform formal enantioselective Michael-additions with umpolung of reactivity. The scope of substrate controlled diastereoselective hydroborations can be considerably enhanced by this methodology. A chemoselective approach to difunctionalized arylsilanes is also described.