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A series of highly substituted 1,2-azaborinines, including a phenylene-bridged bis-1,2-azaborinine, was synthesized from the reaction of 1,2-azaborete rhodium complexes with variously substituted alkynes. 1-Rhoda-3,2-azaborole complexes, which are accessible by phosphine addition to the corresponding 1,2-azaborete complexes, were also found to be suitable precursors for the synthesis of 1,2-azaborinines and readily reacted with alkynyl-substituted 1,2-azaborinines to generate new regioisomers of bi-1,2-azaborinines, which feature directly connected aromatic rings. Their molecular structures, which can be viewed as boron-nitrogen isosteres of biphenyls, show nearly perpendicular 1,2-azaborinine rings. The new method using rhodacycles instead of 1,2-azaborete complexes as precursors is shown to be more effective, allowing the synthesis of a wider range of 1,2-azaborinines.
Cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene-stabilized (cyano)hydroboryl anions were synthesized by deprotonation of (cyano)dihydroborane precursors. While they display boron-centered nucleophilic reactivity towards organohalides, generating fully unsymmetrically substituted cyano(hydro)organoboranes, they show cyano-nitrogen-centered nucleophilic reactivity towards haloboranes, resulting in the formation of hitherto unknown linear 2-aza-1,4-diborabutatrienes.
Twisted boron-based biradicals featuring unsaturated C\(_2\)R\(_2\) (R=Et, Me) bridges and stabilization by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) were recently prepared. These species show remarkable geometrical and electronic differences with respect to their unbridged counterparts. Herein, a thorough computational investigation on the origin of their distinct electrostructural properties is performed. It is shown that steric effects are mostly responsible for the preference for twisted over planar structures. The ground-state multiplicity of the twisted structure is modulated by the σ framework of the bridge, and different R groups lead to distinct multiplicities. In line with the experimental data, a planar structure driven by delocalization effects is observed as global minimum for R=H. The synthetic elusiveness of C\(_2\)R\(_2\)-bridged systems featuring N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) was also investigated. These results could contribute to the engineering of novel main group biradicals.
The reactions of carbodiimides with the iron arylborylene complex [Fe=BDur(CO)\(_{3}\)(PMe\(_{3}\))] (Dur=2,3,5,6-Me\(_{4}\)C\(_{6}\)H) and the iron bis(borylene) complex [Fe{=BDur}{=BN(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)}(CO)\(_{3}\)] yield a wide variety of temperature-dependent products, including known FeBNC and novel FeBNB metallacycles, complexes of N-heterocyclic boracarbene and spiro-boracarbene ligands and a unique 1,3,2,4-diazadiborolyl pianostool complex, characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The product distributions can be rationalized by considering sequences of cycloaddition, metathesis, insertion, and C−H activation pathways mainly governed by sterics.
The concepts of aromaticity and antiaromaticity have a long history, and countless demonstrations of these phenomena have been made with molecules based on elements from the p, d, and f blocks of the periodic table. In contrast, the limited oxidation‐state flexibility of the s‐block metals has long stood in the way of their participation in sophisticated π‐bonding arrangements, and truly antiaromatic systems containing s‐block metals are altogether absent or remain poorly defined. Using spectroscopic, structural, and computational techniques, we present herein the synthesis and authentication of a heterocyclic compound containing the alkaline earth metal beryllium that exhibits significant antiaromaticity, and detail its chemical reduction and Lewis‐base‐coordination chemistry.
Two N-methylpyridinium compounds and analogous N-protonated salts of 2- and 2,7-substituted 4-pyridyl-pyrene compounds were synthesised and their crystal structures, photophysical properties both in solution and in the solid state, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties were studied. Upon methylation or protonation, the emission maxima are significantly bathochromically shifted compared to the neutral compounds, although the absorption maxima remain almost unchanged. As a result, the cationic compounds show very large apparent Stokes shifts of up to 7200 cm\(^{-1}\). The N-methylpyridinium compounds have a single reduction at ca. −1.5 V vs. Fc/Fc\(^+\) in MeCN. While the reduction process was reversible for the 2,7-disubstituted compound, it was irreversible for the mono-substituted one. Experimental findings are complemented by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Furthermore, the N-methylpyridinium compounds show strong interactions with calf thymus (ct)-DNA, presumably by intercalation, which paves the way for further applications of these multi-functional compounds as potential DNA-bioactive agents.
Die 1:2-Reaktion von [μ-(dmpm)Pt(nbe)]\(_{2}\) (dmpm=Bis(dimethylphosphino)methan, nbe=Norbornen) mit Cl\(_{2}\)BNR(SiMe\(_{3}\)) (R=tBu, SiMe\(_{3}\)) führt durch eine B-N-Kupplung über eine ClSiMe\(_{3}\)-Eliminierung zu unsymmetrischen (N-Aminoboryl)aminoboryl-Pt\(^{I}\)\(_{2}\)-Komplexen. Eine anschließende intramolekulare ClSiMe\(_{3}\)-Eliminierung des tBu-Derivats führt zu einer Cyclisierung der BNBN-Einheit unter Bildung eines einzigartigen 1,3,2,4-Diazadiboretidin-2-yl-Liganden. Im Gegensatz hierzu steht die analoge Reaktion mit Br\(_{2}\)BN(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\), die über eine zweifache BrSiMe\(_{3}\)-Eliminierung zu einem Pt\(^{II}\)\(_{2}\)-A-Frame-Komplex führt, der von einem linearen Isoster des Butatriens verbrückt wird. Strukturelle und theoretische Daten bestätigen eine π-Elektronen-Delokalisierung über die gesamte BNBN-Einheit.
An N-heterocyclic-carbene-stabilized diboryne undergoes rapid, high-yielding and catalyst-free hydroamina- tion reactions with primary amines, yielding 1-amino-2-hydro- diborenes, which can be considered boron analogues of enamines. The electronics of the organic substituent at nitrogen influence the structure and further reactivity of the diborene product. With electron-rich anilines, a second hydroamination can occur at the diborene to generate 1,1-diamino-2,2-dihy- drodiboranes. With isopropylamine, the electronic influence of the alkyl substituent upon the diborene leads to an unprece- dented boron-mediated intramolecular N-dearylation reaction of an N-heterocyclic carbene unit.
In this communication, we demonstrate a novel approach to prepare a discrete dimer of chiral phthalocyanine (Pc) by exploiting the flexible molecular geometry of helicenes, which enables structural interlocking and strong aggregation tendency of Pcs. Synthesized [7]helicene-Pc hybrid molecular structure, zinc-[7]helicenocyanine (Zn-7HPc), exclusively forms a stable dimeric pair consisting of two homochiral molecules. The dimerization constants were estimated to be as high as 8.96×10\(^6\) M\(^{−1}\) and 3.42×107 M\(^{−1}\) in THF and DMSO, respectively, indicating remarkable stability of dimer. In addition, Zn\(^{-7}\)HPc exhibited chiral self-sorting behavior, which resulted in preferential formation of a homochiral dimer also in the racemic sample. Two phthalocyanine subunits in the dimeric form strongly communicate with each other as revealed by a large comproportionation constant and observation of an IV-CT band for the thermodynamically stable mixed-valence state.
Dithiophene‐Fused Oxadiborepins and Azadiborepins: A New Class of Highly Fluorescent Heteroaromatics
(2021)
Access to dithiophene‐fused oxadiborepins and the first azadiborepins attained via a modular synthesis route are presented. The new compounds emit intense blue light, some of which demonstrate fluorescence quantum yields close to unity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed electrochemically reversible one‐electron reduction processes. The weak aromatic character of the novel 1,2,7‐azadiborepin ring is demonstrated with in‐depth theoretical investigations using nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) scans and anisotropy of the induced current density (ACID) calculations.
Reduction of (CAAC)BBr\(_2\)(NCS) (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene) in the presence of a Lewis base L yields tricoordinate (CAAC)LB(NCS) borylenes which undergo reversible E/Z-isomerization. The same reduction in the absence of L yields deep blue, bis(CAAC)-stabilized, boron-doped, aromatic thiazolothiazoles resulting from the dimerization of dicoordinate (CAAC)B(NCS) borylene intermediates.
A series of methylene-bridged bis(triarylboranes) has been synthesized via two complementary routes using metal-free catalytic Si/B exchange condensation under mild conditions. The title compounds comprise two borane moieties that show effective internal π-conjugation involving the respective boron centers and the adjacent hetaryl groups. Conjugation between both borane units, however, is disrupted by the aliphatic linker. Cyclic voltammetry revealed minimal electronic communication between the boron centers, as evidenced by two closely spaced reduction processes. The UV-vis spectra showed bathochromic shifted absorption bands compared to related monoboranes, which is attributed to the methylene bridge. A further red-shift results upon introduction of methyl or SiMe\(_3\) groups at the terminal thiophene rings.
Phenylpyridyl-fused boroles [TipPBB1]\(_4\) and TipPBB2 were synthesized and their properties investigated. [TipPBB1]\(_4\) forms a tetramer in both the solid state and solution. TipPBB2 contains a 4-coordinate boron atom in the solid state but dissociates to give a 3-coordinate boron species in solution. TipPBB2 shows interesting temperature-dependent dual fluorescence in solution because of the equilibrium between 3- and 4-coordinate boron species due to weak N⋅⋅⋅B intermolecular coordination.
Bis(1-(4-tolyl)-carboran-2-yl)-(4-tolyl)-borane [(1-(4-MeC\(_{6}\)H\(_{4}\))-closo-1,2-C\(_{2}\)B\(_{10}\)H\(_{10}\)-2-)\(_{2}\)(4-MeC\(_{6}\)H\(_{4}\))B] (1), a new bis(o-carboranyl)-(R)-borane was synthesised by lithiation of the o-carboranyl precursor and subsequent salt metathesis reaction with (4-tolyl)BBr\(_{2}\). Cyclic voltammetry experiments on 1 show multiple distinct reduction events with a one-electron first reduction. In a selective reduction experiment the corresponding paramagnetic radical anion 1\(^{.−}\) was isolated and characterized. Single-crystal structure analyses allow an in-depth comparison of 1, 1\(^{.−}\), their calculated geometries, and the S\(_{1}\) excited state of 1. Photophysical studies of 1 show a charge transfer (CT) emission with low quantum yield in solution but a strong increase in the solid state. TD-DFT calculations were used to identify transition-relevant orbitals.
The parent borylene (CAAC)(Me\(_{3}\)P)BH, 1 (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene), acts both as a Lewis base and one-electron reducing agent towards group 13 trichlorides (ECl\(_{3}\), E=B, Al, Ga, In), yielding the adducts 1-ECl\(_{3}\) and increasing proportions of the radical cation [1]\(^{•+}\) for the heavier group 13 analogues. With boron trihalides (BX\(_{3}\), X=F, Cl, Br, I) 1 undergoes sequential adduct formation and halide abstraction reactions to yield borylboronium cations and shows an increasing tendency towards redox processes for the heavier halides. Calculations confirm that 1 acts as a strong Lewis base towards EX3 and show a marked increase in the B−E bond dissociation energies down both group 13 and the halide group.
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.
Die ersten Beispiele für Lewis-Basen-Addukte des Stammboraphosphaketens H\(_{2}\)B-PCO und ihre cyclischen Dimere wurden hergestellt. Eines dieser Addukte zeigt unter milden Bedingungen eine Decarbonylierung und anschließende Insertion des Phosphinidens in die B-C-Bindung eines Borols, was in der Bildung sehr seltener Beispiele für 1,2-Phosphaborinine, B,P-Isostere von Benzol, resultiert. Die starken Donoreigenschaften dieser 1,2-Phosphaborinine wurden durch die Synthese ihrer π-Komplexe mit Metallen der Gruppe 6 bestätigt.
The reduction of a cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene (CAAC)-stabilized organoberyllium chloride yields the first neutral beryllium radical, which was characterized by EPR, IR, UV/Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations show significant spin density at beryllium and confirm donor–acceptor bonding between an alkylberyllium radical fragment and a neutral CAAC ligand.
A 1,8-naphthyridine diphosphine (NDP) reacts with boron-containing Lewis acids to generate complexes featuring a number of different naphthyridine bonding modes. When exposed to diborane B\(_{2}\)Br\(_{4}\), NDP underwent self-deprotonation to afford [NDP-B\(_{2}\)Br\(_{3}\)]Br, an unsymmetrical diborane comprised of four fused rings. The reaction of two equivalents of monoborane BBr\(_{3}\) and NDP in a non-polar solvent provided the simple phosphine-borane adduct [NDP(BBr\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)], which then underwent intramolecular halide abstraction to furnish the salt [NDP-BBr\(_{2}\)][BBr\(_{4}\)], featuring a different coordination mode from that of [NDP-B\(_{2}\)Br\(_{3}\)]Br. Direct deprotonation of NDP by KHMDS or PhCH2K generates mono- and dipotassium reagents, respectively. The monopotassium reagent reacts with one or half an equivalent of B\(_{2}\)(NMe\(_{2}\))\(_{2}\)Cl\(_{2}\) to afford NDP-based diboranes with three or four amino substituents.
Bei der Einelektronenreduktion eines durch eine cyclisches (Alkyl)(amino)carben (CAAC) stabilisierten Arylborylen-Carbonylkomplexes erfolgt die Bildung eines dimeren Borylketyl-Radikalanions, bedingt durch eine intramolekulare Arylmigration zum CO Kohlenstoffatom. Computergestützte Analyse liefert Hinweise auf eine radikalanionische [(CAAC)B(CO)Ar]\(^{.-}\) Zwischenstufe. Weiterführende Reduktion des entstandenen Komplexes liefert ein hoch nukleophiles (Boranyliden)methanolat.
Adducts of the parent boraphosphaketene H\(_2\)BPCO and their decarbonylative insertion chemistry
(2021)
The first examples of Lewis base adducts of the parent boraphosphaketene (H\(_2\)B-PCO) and their cyclodimers are prepared. One of these adducts is shown to undergo mild decarbonylation and phosphinidene insertion into a B−C bond of a borole, forming very rare examples of 1,2-phosphaborinines, B/P isosteres of benzene. The strong donor properties of these 1,2-phosphaborinines are confirmed by the synthesis of their π complexes with the Group 6 metals.
The synthesis and characterization of laterally extended azabora[5]‐, ‐[6]‐ and ‐[7]helicenes, assembled from N‐heteroaromatic and dibenzo[g,p]chrysene building blocks is described. Formally, the π‐conjugated systems of the pristine azaborole helicenes were enlarged with a phenanthrene unit leading to compounds with large Stokes shifts, significantly enhanced luminescence quantum yields (Φ) and dissymmetry factors (g\(_{lum}\)). The beneficial effect on optical properties was also observed for helical elongation. The combined contributions of lateral and helical extensions resulted in a compound showing green emission with Φ of 0.31 and |g\(_{lum}\)| of 2.2×10\(^{−3}\), highest within the series of π‐extended azaborahelicenes and superior to emission intensity and chiroptical response of its non‐extended congener. This study shows that helical and lateral extensions of π‐conjugated systems are viable strategies to improve features of azaborole helicenes. In addition, single crystal X‐ray analysis of configurationally stable [6]‐ and ‐[7]helicenes was used to provide insight into their packing arrangements.
A practical and direct method was developed for the production of versatile alkyl boronate esters via transition metal-free borylation of primary and secondary alkyl sulfones. The key to the success of the strategy is the use of bis(neopentyl glycolato) diboron (B\(_{2}\)neop\(_{2}\)), with a stoichiometric amount of base as a promoter. The practicality and industrial potential of this protocol are highlighted by its wide functional group tolerance, the late-stage modification of complex compounds, no need for further transesterification, and operational simplicity. Radical clock, radical trap experiments, and EPR studies were conducted which show that the borylation process involves radical intermediates.
A one-pot synthesis of a CAAC-stabilized, unsymmetrical, cyclic diborene was achieved via consecutive two-electron reduction steps from an adduct of CAAC and B\(_2\)Br\(_4\)(SMe\(_2\))\(_2\). Theoretical studies revealed that this diborene has a considerably smaller HOMO–LUMO gap than those of reported NHC- and phosphine-supported diborenes. Complexation of the diborene with [AuCl(PCy\(_3\))] afforded two diborene–Au\(^I\) π complexes, while reaction with DurBH\(_2\), P\(_4\) and a terminal acetylene led to the cleavage of B−H, P−P, and C−C π bonds, respectively. Thermal rearrangement of the diborene gave an electron-rich cyclic alkylideneborane, which readily coordinated to Ag\(^I\) via its B=C double bond.
A cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene‐stabilized 1,4‐diborabenzene (DBB) ligand enables the isolation of 18‐electron two‐legged parent piano‐stool Fe\(^{0}\) and Ru\(^{0}\) complexes, [(η\(^{6}\)‐DBB)M(CO)\(_{2}\)], the ruthenium complex being the first of its kind to be structurally characterized. [(η\(^{6}\)‐DBB)Fe(CO)\(_{2}\)] reacts with E\(_{4}\) (E=P, As) to yield mixed DBB‐cyclo‐E\(_{4}\) sandwich complexes with planar E\(_{4}\)\(^{2-}\) ligands. Computational analyses confirm the strong electron‐donating capacity of the DBB ligand and show that the E\(_{4}\) ligand is bound by four equivalent Fe−P σ bonds.
A modular synthesis of both difurooxa‐ and difuroazadiborepins from a common precursor is demonstrated. Starting from 2,2′‐bifuran, after protection of the positions 5 and 5’ with bulky silyl groups, formation of the novel polycycles proceeds through opening of the furan rings to a dialkyne and subsequent re‐cyclization in the borylation step. The resulting bifuran‐fused diborepins show pronounced stability, highly planar tricyclic structures, and intense blue light emission. Deprotection and transformation into dibrominated building blocks that can be incorporated into π‐extended materials can be performed in one step. Detailed DFT calculations provide information about the aromaticity of the constituent rings of this polycycle.
A series of bis‐(4’‐pyridylethynyl)arenes (arene=benzene, tetrafluorobenzene, and anthracene) were synthesized and their bis‐N‐methylpyridinium compounds were investigated as a class of π‐extended methyl viologens. Their structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties (cyclic voltammetry), as well as their interactions with DNA/RNA were investigated. The dications showed bathochromic shifts in emission compared to the neutral compounds. The neutral compounds showed very small Stokes shifts, which are a little larger for the dications. All of the compounds showed very short fluorescence lifetimes (<4 ns). The neutral compound with an anthracene core has a quantum yield of almost unity. With stronger acceptors, the analogous bis‐N‐methylpyridinium compound showed a larger two‐photon absorption cross‐section than its neutral precursor. All of the dicationic compounds interact with DNA/RNA; while the compounds with benzene and tetrafluorobenzene cores bind in the grooves, the one with an anthracene core intercalates as a consequence of its large, condensed aromatic linker moiety, and it aggregates within the polynucleotide when in excess over DNA/RNA. Moreover, all cationic compounds showed highly specific CD spectra upon binding to ds‐DNA/RNA, attributed to the rare case of forcing the planar, achiral molecule into a chiral rotamer, and negligible toxicity toward human cell lines at ≤10 μM concentrations. The anthracene‐analogue exhibited intracellular accumulation within lysosomes, preventing its interaction with cellular DNA/RNA. However, cytotoxicity was evident at 1 μM concentration upon exposure to light, due to singlet oxygen generation within cells. These multi‐faceted features, in combination with its two‐photon absorption properties, suggest it to be a promising lead compound for development of novel light‐activated theranostic agents.
Three novel tetracationic bis‐triarylboranes with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) linkers, and their neutral precursors, showed significant red‐shifted absorption and emission compared to their thiophene‐containing analogues, with one of the EDOT‐derivatives emitting in the NIR region. Only the EDOT‐linked trixylylborane tetracation was stable in aqueous solution, indicating that direct attachment of a thiophene or even 3‐methylthiophene to the boron atom is insufficient to provide hydrolytic stability in aqueous solution. Further comparative analysis of the EDOT‐linked trixylylborane tetracation and its bis‐thiophene analogue revealed efficient photo‐induced singlet oxygen production, with the consequent biological implications. Thus, both analogues bind strongly to ds‐DNA and BSA, very efficiently enter living human cells, accumulate in several different cytoplasmic organelles with no toxic effect but, under intense visible light irradiation, they exhibit almost instantaneous and very strong cytotoxic effects, presumably attributed to singlet oxygen production. Thus, both compounds are intriguing theranostic agents, whose intracellular and probably intra‐tissue location can be monitored by strong fluorescence, allowing switching on of the strong bioactivity by well‐focused visible light.
The development of ligands capable of effectively stabilizing highly reactive main‐group species has led to the experimental realization of a variety of systems with fascinating properties. In this work, we computationally investigate the electronic, structural, energetic, and bonding features of proximity‐enforced group 13–15 homodimers stabilized by a rigid expanded pincer ligand based on the 1,8‐naphthyridine (napy) core. We show that the redox‐active naphthyridine diimine (NDI) ligand enables a wide variety of structural motifs and element‐element interaction modes, the latter ranging from isolated, element‐centered lone pairs (e.g., E = Si, Ge) to cases where through‐space π bonds (E = Pb), element‐element multiple bonds (E = P, As) and biradical ground states (E = N) are observed. Our results hint at the feasibility of NDI‐E2 species as viable synthetic targets, highlighting the versatility and potential applications of napy‐based ligands in main‐group chemistry.
The 2‐aryl‐3,4,5,6‐tetraphenyl‐1,2‐azaborinines 1‐EMe\(_{3}\) and 2‐EMe\(_{3}\) (E=Si, Sn; aryl=Ph (1), Mes (=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, 2)) were synthesized by ring‐expansion of borole precursors with N\(_{3}\)EMe\(_{3}\)‐derived nitrenes. Desilylative hydrolysis of 1‐ and 2‐SiMe\(_{3}\) yielded the corresponding N‐protonated azaborinines, which were deprotonated with nBuLi or MN(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\) (M=Na, K) to the corresponding group 1 salts, 1‐M and 2‐M. While the lithium salts crystallized as monomeric Lewis base adducts, the potassium salts formed coordination polymers or oligomers via intramolecular K⋅⋅⋅aryl π interactions. The reaction of 1‐M or 2‐M with CO\(_{2}\) yielded N‐carboxylate salts, which were derivatized by salt metathesis to methyl and silyl esters. Salt metathesis of 1‐M or 2‐M with methyl triflate, [Cp*BeCl] (Cp*=C\(_{5}\)Me\(_{5}\)), BBr\(_{2}\)Ar (Ar=Ph, Mes, 2‐thienyl), ECl\(_{3}\) (E=B, Al, Ga) and PX\(_{3}\) (X=Cl, Br) afforded the respective group 2, 13 and 15 1,2‐azaborinin‐2‐yl complexes. Salt metathesis of 1‐K with BBr\(_{3}\) resulted not only in N‐borylation but also Ph‐Br exchange between the endocyclic and exocyclic boron atoms. Solution \(^{11}\)B NMR data suggest that the 1,2‐azaborinin‐2‐yl ligand is similarly electron‐withdrawing to a bromide. In the solid state the endocyclic bond length alternation and the twisting of the C\(_{4}\)BN ring increase with the sterics of the substituents at the boron and nitrogen atoms, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that the downfield shift of the endocyclic \(^{11}\)B NMR resonances is linearly correlated to both the degree of twisting of the C\(_{4}\)BN ring and the tilt angle of the N‐substituent. Calculations indicate that the 1,2‐azaborinin‐1‐yl ligand has no sizeable π‐donor ability and that the aromaticity of the ring can be subtly tuned by the electronics of the N‐substituent.
The Fischer carbene synthesis, involving the conversion of a transition metal (TM)-bound CO ligand to a carbene ligand of the form [=C(OR’)R] (R, R’ = organyl groups), is one of the seminal reactions in the history of organometallic chemistry. Carbonyl complexes of p-block elements, of the form [E(CO)n] (E = main-group fragment), are much less abundant than their TM cousins; this scarcity and the general instability of low-valent p-block species means that replicating the historical reactions of TM carbonyls is often very difficult. Here we present a step-for-step replica of the Fischer carbene synthesis at a borylene carbonyl involving nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl carbon followed by electrophilic quenching at the resultant acylate oxygen atom. These reactions provide borylene acylates and alkoxy-/silyloxy-substituted alkylideneboranes, main-group analogues of the archetypal transition metal acylate and Fischer carbene families, respectively. When either the incoming electrophile or the boron center has a modest steric profile, the electrophile instead attacks at the boron atom, leading to carbene-stabilized acylboranes – boron analogues of the well-known transition metal acyl complexes. These results constitute faithful main-group replicas of a number of historical organometallic processes and pave the way to further advances in the field of main-group metallomimetics.
A cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene (CAAC)‐stabilized dicoordinate aminoborylene is synthesized by the twofold reduction of a [(CAAC)BCl\(_{2}\)(TMP)] (TMP=2,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl) precursor. NMR‐spectroscopic, X‐ray crystallographic and computational analyses confirm the cumulenic nature of the central C=B=N moiety. Irradiation of [(CAAC)B(TMP)] (2) resulted in an intramolecular C−C bond activation, leading to a doubly‐fused C\(_{10}\)BN heterocycle, while the reaction with acetonitrile resulted in an aryl migration from the CAAC to the acetonitrile nitrogen atom, concomitant with tautomerization of the latter to a boron‐bound allylamino ligand. One‐electron oxidation of 2 with CuX (X=Cl, Br) afforded the corresponding amino(halo)boryl radicals, which were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Placing 2 under an atmosphere of CO afforded the tricoordinate (CAAC,CO)‐stabilized aminoborylene. Finally, the twofold oxidation of 2 with chalcogens led, in the case of N\(_{2}\)O and sulfur, to the splitting of the B−C\(_{CAAC}\) bond and formation of the 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,2,4‐dichalcogenadiboretanes and CAAC‐chalcogen adducts, whereas with selenium a monomeric boraselenone was isolated, which showed some degree of B−Se multiple bonding.
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.