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Unsaturated bridges that link the two cyclopentadienyl ligands together in strained ansa metallocenes are rare and limited to carbon-carbon double bonds. The synthesis and isolation of a strained ferrocenophane containing an unsaturated two-boron bridge, isoelectronic with a C=C double bond, was achieved by reduction of a carbene-stabilized 1,1’-bis(dihaloboryl)ferrocene. A combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations was used to assess the influence of the unprecedented strained cis configuration on the optical and electrochemical properties of the carbene-stabilized diborene unit. Initial reactivity studies show that the dibora[2]ferrocenophane is prone to boron-boron double bond cleavage reactions.
sp\(^2\)–sp\(^3\) diborane species based on bis(catecholato)diboron and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are subjected to catechol/bromide exchange selectively at the sp\(^3\) boron atom. The reduction of the resulting 1,1-dibromodiborane adducts led to reductive coupling and isolation of doubly NHC-stabilized 1,2-diboryldiborenes. These compounds are the first examples of molecules exhibiting pelectron delocalization over an all-boron chain.
The two-fold reduction of (cAAC)BHX\(_2\) (cAAC = 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene; X = Cl, Br) provides a facile, high-yielding route to the dihydrodiborene (cAAC)\(_2\)B\(_2\)H\(_2\). The (chloro)hydroboryl anion reduction intermediate was successfully isolated using a crown ether. Overreduction of the diborene to its dianion [(cAAC)\(_2\)B\(_2\)H\(_2\)]\(^{2−}\) causes a decrease in the B–B bond order whereas the B–C bond orders increase.
The diborene 1 was synthesized by reduction of a mixture of 1,2-di-9-anthryl-1,2-dibromodiborane(4) (6) and trimethylphosphine with potassium graphite. The X-ray structure of 1 shows the two anthryl rings to be parallel and their π(C\(_{14}\)) systems perpendicular to the diborene π(B=B) system. This twisted conformation allows for intercalation of the relatively high-lying π(B=B) orbital and the low-lying π* orbital of the anthryl moiety with no significant conjugation, resulting in a small HOMO-LUMO gap (HLG) and ultimately an unprecedented anthryl B–B bond hydroarylation. The HLG of 1 was estimated to be 1.57 eV from the onset of the long wavelength band in its UV–vis absorption spectrum (THF, λ\(_{onset}\) = 788 nm). The oxidation of 1 with elemental selenium afforded diboraselenirane 8 in quantitative yield. By oxidative abstraction of one phosphine ligand by another equivalent of elemental selenium, the B–B and C\(^1\)–H bonds of 8 were cleaved to give the cyclic 1,9-diboraanthracene 9.
Recent years have seen rapid advances in the chemistry of small molecules containing electron-precise boron-boron bonds. This review provides an overview of the latest methods for the controlled synthesis of B–B single and multiple bonds as well as the ever-expanding range of reactivity displayed by the latter.
The heteroarene 1,4-bis(CAAC)-1,4-diborabenzene (1; CAAC = cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene) reacts with [(MeCN)\(_3\)M(CO)\(_3\)] (M = Cr, Mo, W) to yield half-sandwich complexes of the form [(η\(^6\)-diborabenzene)M(CO)\(_3\)] (M = Cr (2), Mo (3), W (4)). Investigation of the new complexes with a combination of X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods and DFT calculations shows that ligand 1 is a remarkably strong electron donor. In particular, [(η\(^6\)-arene)M(CO)\(_3\)] complexes of this ligand display the lowest CO stretching frequencies yet observed for this class of complex. Cyclic voltammetry on complexes 2-4 revealed one reversi- ble oxidation and two reversible reduction events in each case, with no evidence of ring-slippage of the arene to the η\(^4\) binding mode. Treatment of 4 with lithium metal in THF led to identification of the paramagnetic complex [(1)W(CO)\(_3\)]Li·2THF (5). Compound 1 can also be reduced in the absence of a transition metal to its dianion 1\(^{2–}\), which possesses a quinoid-type structure.
Highly Strained Heterocycles Constructed from Boron–Boron Multiple Bonds and Heavy Chalcogens
(2016)
The reactions of a diborene with elemental selenium or tellurium are shown to afford a diboraselenirane or diboratellurirane, respectively. These reactions are reminiscent of the sequestration of subvalent oxygen and nitrogen in the formation of oxiranes and aziridines; however, such reactivity is not known between alkenes and the heavy chalcogens. Although carbon is too electronegative to affect the reduction of elements with lower relative electronegativity, the highly reducing nature of the B B double bond enables reactions with Se0 and Te0. The capacity of multiple bonds between boron atoms to donate electron density is highlighted in reactions where diborynes behave as nucleophiles, attacking one of the two Te atoms of diaryltellurides, forming salts consisting of diboratellurenium cations and aryltelluride anions.
Five compounds containing boron–boron multiple bonds are shown to undergo hydrophosphination reactions with diphenylphosphine in the absence of a catalyst. With diborenes, the products obtained are highly dependent on the substitution pattern at the boron atoms, with both 1,1- and 1,2- hydrophosphinations observed. With a symmetrical diboryne, 1,2-hydrophosphination yields a hydro(phosphino)diborene. The different mechanistic pathways for the hydrophosphination of diborenes are rationalised with the aid of density functional theory calculations.
A series of NHC-supported 1,2-dithienyldiborenes was synthesized from the corresponding (dihalo)thienylborane NHC precursors. NMR and UV-vis spectroscopic data, as well as X-ray crystallographic analyses, were used to assess the electronic and steric influences on the B=B double bond of various NHCs and electron-donating substituents on the thienyl ligands. Crystallographic data showed that the degree of coplanarity of the diborene core and thienyl groups is highly dependent on the sterics of the substituents. Furthermore, any increase in the electron- donating ability of the substituents resulted in the destabilization of the HOMO and greater instability of the resulting diborenes.
Molecules containing multiple bonds between atoms—most often in the form of olefins—are ubiquitous in nature, commerce, and science, and as such have a huge impact on everyday life. Given their prominence, over the last few decades, frequent attempts have been made to perturb the structure and reactivity of multiply-bound species through bending and twisting. However, only modest success has been achieved in the quest to completely twist double bonds in order to homolytically cleave the associated π bond. Here, we present the isolation of double-bond-containing species based on boron, as well as their fully twisted diradical congeners, by the incorporation of attached groups with different electronic properties. The compounds comprise a structurally authenticated set of diamagnetic multiply-bound and diradical singly-bound congeners of the same class of compound.
Molecules containing multiple bonds between atoms—most often in the form of olefins—are ubiquitous in nature, commerce, and science, and as such have a huge impact on everyday life. Given their prominence, over the last few decades, frequent attempts have been made to perturb the structure and reactivity of multiply-bound species through bending and twisting. However, only modest success has been achieved in the quest to completely twist double bonds in order to homolytically cleave the associated π bond. Here, we present the isolation of double-bond-containing species based on boron, as well as their fully twisted diradical congeners, by the incorporation of attached groups with different electronic properties. The compounds comprise a structurally authenticated set of diamagnetic multiply-bound and diradical singly-bound congeners of the same class of compound.
The NHC-stabilised diboryne (B\(_2\)(SIDep)\(_2\); SIDep=1,3-bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) undergoes a high-yielding P−P bond activation with tetraethyldiphosphine at room temperature to form a B\(_2\)P\(_2\) heterocycle via a diphosphoryldiborene by 1,2-diphosphination. The heterocycle can be oxidised to a radical cation and a dication, respectively, depending on the oxidant used and its counterion. Starting from the planar, neutral 1,3-bis(alkylidene)-1,3-diborata-2,4-diphosphoniocyclobutane, each oxidation step leads to decreased B−B distances and loss of planarity by cationisation. X-ray analyses in conjunction with DFT and CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations reveal closed-shell singlet, butterfly-shaped structures for the NHC-stabilised dicationic B\(_2\)P\(_2\) rings, with their diradicaloid, planar-ring isomers lying close in energy.
The study of main-group molecules that behave and react similarly to transition-metal (TM) complexes has attracted significant interest in recent decades. Most notably, the attractive idea of replacing the all-too-often rare and costly metals from catalysis has motivated efforts to develop main-group-element-mediated reactions. Main-group elements, however, lack the electronic flexibility of TM complexes that arises from combinations of empty and filled d orbitals and that seem ideally suited to bind and activate many substrates. In this review, we look at boron, an element that despite its nonmetal nature, low atomic weight, and relative redox staticity has achieved great milestones in terms of TM-like reactivity. We show how in interelement cooperative systems, diboron molecules, and hypovalent complexes the fifth element can acquire a truly metallomimetic character. As we discuss, this character is powerfully demonstrated by the reactivity of boron-based molecules with H2, CO, alkynes, alkenes and even with N2.
Carbene‐stabilized diborynes of the form LBBL (L=N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene (CAAC)) induce rapid, high yielding, intermolecular ortho‐C−H borylation at N‐heterocycles at room temperature. A simple pyridyldiborene is formed when an NHC‐stabilized diboryne is combined with pyridine, while a CAAC‐stabilized diboryne leads to activation of two pyridine molecules to give a tricyclic alkylideneborane, which can be forced to undergo a further H‐shift resulting in a zwitterionic, doubly benzo‐fused 1,3,2,5‐diazadiborinine by heating. Use of the extended N‐heteroaromatic quinoline leads to a borylmethyleneborane under mild conditions via an unprecedented boron‐carbon exchange process.
A set of diboryldiborenes are prepared by the mild, catalyst-free, room-temperature diboration of the B–B triple bonds of doubly base-stabilized diborynes. Two of the product diboryldiborenes are found to be air- and water-stable in the solid state, an effect that is attributed to their high crystallinity and extreme insolubility in a wide range of solvents.
Despite the prevalence of stable π-complexes of most d\(^{10}\) metals, such as Cu(I) and Ni(0), with ethylene and other olefins, complexation of d\(^{10}\) Zn(II) to simple olefins is too weak to form isolable complexes due to the metal ion's limited capacity for π-backdonation. By employing more strongly donating π- ligands, namely neutral diborenes with a high-lying π(B=B) or- bital, monomeric 16-electron M(II)-diborene (M = Zn, Cd) π- complexes were synthesized in good yields. Metal–B2 π- interactions in both the solid and solution state were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses and their solution NMR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The M(II) centers adopt a trigonal planar geometry and interact almost symmetrically with both boron atoms. The MB2 planes significantly twist out of the MX\(_2\) planes about the M-centroid(B–B) vector, with angles rang- ing from 47.0° to 85.5°, depending on the steric interactions be- tween the diborene ligand and the MX\(_2\) fragment.
In this work, two new quadrupolar A-π-D-π-A chromophores have been prepared featuring a strongly electron- donating diborene core and strongly electron-accepting dimesitylboryl F(BMes2) and bis(2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)boryl (BMes2) end groups. Analysis of the compounds by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis-NIR absorption and emission spectroscopy indicated that the compounds possess extended conjugated π-systems spanning their B4C8 cores. The combination of exceptionally potent π-donor (diborene) and π- acceptor (diarylboryl) groups, both based on trigonal boron, leads to very small HOMO-LUMO gaps, resulting in strong absorption in the near-IR region with maxima in THF at 840 and 1092 nm, respectively, and very high extinction coefficients of ca. 120,000 M-1cm-1. Both molecules also display weak near-IR fluorescence with small Stokes shifts.
Among the numerous routes organic chemists have developed to synthesize benzene derivatives and heteroaro- matic compounds, transition-metal-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions are the most elegant. In contrast, cycloaddition reactions of heavier alkene and alkyne analogues, though limited in scope, proceed uncatalyzed. In this work we present the first spontaneous cycloaddition reactions of lighter alkene and alkyne analogues. Selective addition of unactivated alkynes to boron–boron multiple bonds under ambient con- ditions yielded diborocarbon equivalents of simple aromatic hydrocarbons, including the first neutral 6p-aromatic dibora- benzene compound, a 2 p-aromatic triplet biradical 1,3-dibor- ete, and a phosphine-stabilized 2 p-homoaromatic 1,3-dihydro- 1,3-diborete. DFT calculations suggest that all three com- pounds are aromatic and show frontier molecular orbitals matching those of the related aromatic hydrocarbons, C6H6 and C4H42+, and homoaromatic C4H5+.
Among the numerous routes organic chemists have developed to synthesize benzene derivatives and heteroaro- matic compounds, transition-metal-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions are the most elegant. In contrast, cycloaddition reactions of heavier alkene and alkyne analogues, though limited in scope, proceed uncatalyzed. In this work we present the first spontaneous cycloaddition reactions of lighter alkene and alkyne analogues. Selective addition of unactivated alkynes to boron–boron multiple bonds under ambient con- ditions yielded diborocarbon equivalents of simple aromatic hydrocarbons, including the first neutral 6 π-aromatic dibora- benzene compound, a 2 π-aromatic triplet biradical 1,3-dibor- ete, and a phosphine-stabilized 2 π-homoaromatic 1,3-dihydro- 1,3-diborete. DFT calculations suggest that all three com- pounds are aromatic and show frontier molecular orbitals matching those of the related aromatic hydrocarbons, C\(_6\)H\(_6\) and C\(_4\)H\(_4\)\(^{2+}\), and homoaromatic C\(_4\)H\(_5\)\(^+\).
The reductive coupling of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized (dibromo)vinylborane yields a 1,2-divinyl- diborene, which, although isoelectronic to a 1,3,5-triene, displays no extended p conjugation because of twisting of the C\(_2\)B\(_2\)C\(_2\) chain. While this divinyldiborene coordinates to copper(I) and platinum(0) in an η\(^2\)-B\(_2\) and η\(^4\)-C\(_2\)B\(_2\) fashion, respectively, it undergoes a complex rearrangement to an η\(^4\)-1,3-diborete upon complexation with nickel(0).