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In the molecular structure of the title compound, C34H58B2N2, each B atom of the diborane(4) is connected to one dimethylamino group and one Tip ligand (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl). These findings indicate that the increased steric demand of the Tip groups exerts influence solely on the B—B separation but not on the overall geometry of the title compound.
no abstract available
The title compound, [Zr(3)(C(14)H(20)Si(2))(3)O(3)], consists of three disila-bridged zirconocene units, which are connected via an oxide ligand, forming a nearly planar six-membered ring with a maximum displacement of 0.0191 (8) A. The compound was isolated as a by-product from a mixture of [(C(5)H(4)SiMe(2))(2)ZrCl(2)] and Li[AlH(4)] in Et(2)O.
Bis(μ-diisopropyl-phosphanido-\(κ^2\)P:P)bis-[hydrido(triisopropyl-phosphane-κP)platinum(II)]
(2012)
In the centrosymmetric molecular structure of the title compound \([Pt_2(C_6H_{14}P)_2H_2)(C_9H_{21}P)_2]\), each \(Pt^{II}\) atom is bound on one side to a phosphane ligand \((PiPr_3)\) and a hydrido ligand. On the other side, it is bound to two phosphanide ligands \((μ-PiPr_2)\), which engage a bridging position between the two \(Pt^{II}\) atoms, forming a distorted square-planar structure motif. The PtPt distance is 3.6755(2)Å. A comparable molecular structure was observed for bis-(μ-di-tert-butyl-phosphanido)bis-[hydrido(triethyl-phosphane)platinum(II)] [Itazaki et al. (2004 ). Organometallics, 23, 1610-1621].
In the molecular structure of the dinuclear title compound \([η^5-(C_5(CH_3)_5)(CO)Fe{(μ-BCl)(μ-CO)}PtCl(P(C_6H_{11})_3)]·C_6H_6\), the two metal atoms, iron(II) and platinum(II), are bridged by one carbonyl (μ-CO) and one chloridoborylene ligand (μ-BCl). The \(Pt^{II}\) atom is additionally bound to a chloride ligand situated trans to the bridging borylene, and a tricyclohexylphosphane ligand \((PCy_3)\) trans to the carbonyl ligand, forming a distorted square-planar structural motif at the \(Pt^{II}\) atom. The \(Fe_{II}\) atom is bound to a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand \([η^5-C_5(CH_3)_5]\) and one carbonyl ligand (CO), forming a piano-stool structure. Additionally, one benzene solvent molecule is incorporated into the crystal structure, positioned staggered relative to the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand at the \(Fe^{II}\) atom, with a centroid–centroid separation of 3.630 (2) Å.
The bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)(diphenylacetylene)palladium complex Pd(ITMe)\(_2\)(PhCCPh)] (ITMe=1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) acts as a highly active pre-catalyst in the diboration and silaboration of azobenzenes to synthesize a series of novel functionalized hydrazines. The reactions proceed using commercially available diboranes and silaboranes under mild reaction conditions.
Treatment of an anionic dimanganaborylene complex ([{Cp(CO)\(_2\)Mn}\(_2\)B]\(^-\)) with coinage metal cations stabilized by a very weakly coordinating Lewis base (SMe\(_2\)) led to the coordination of the incoming metal and subsequent displacement of dimethylsulfide in the formation of hexametalladiborides featuring planar four-membered M\(_2\)B\(_2\) cores (M = Cu, Au) comparable to transition metal clusters constructed around four-membered rings composed solely of coinage metals. The analogies between compounds consisting of B\(_2\)M\(_2\) units and M\(_4\) (M = Cu, Au) units speak to the often overlooked metalloid nature of boron. Treatment of one of these compounds (M = Cu) with a Lewis-basic metal fragment (Pt(PCy\(_3\))\(_2\)) led to the formation of a tetrametallaboride featuring two manganese, one copper and one platinum atom, all bound to boron in a geometry not yet seen for this kind of compound. Computational examination suggests that this geometry is the result of d\(^{10}\)-d\(^{10}\) dispersion interactions between the copper and platinum fragments.
Herein, we describe the selective formation of a stable neutral spiroborate radical by one-electron oxidation of the corresponding tetraorganoborate salt Li[B(C\(_4\)Ph\(_4\))\(_2\)], formally containing a tetrahedral borate centre and a s-cis-butadiene radical cation as the spin-bearing site. Spectroscopic and computational methods have been used to determine the spin distribution and the chromism observed in the solid state.
Room temperature hydrogenation of an SIDep-stabilized diboryne (SIDep = 1,3-bis(diethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) and a CAAC-supported diboracumulene (CAAC = 1-(2,6- diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) provided the first selective route to the corresponding 1,2-dihydrodiborenes. DFT calculations showed an overall exothermic (ΔG = 19.4 kcal mol\(^{-1}\) two-step asynchronous H\(_2\) addition mechanism proceeding via a bridging hydride.
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\(_5\)\(^+\).
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.
The reaction of [(cAAC\(^{Me}\))BH\(_{3}\)] (cAAC\(^{Me}\) = 1-(2,6-iPr\(_{2}\)C\(_{6}\)H\(_{3}\))-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) with a range of organolithium compounds led to the exclusive formation of the corresponding (dihydro)organoborates, Li\(^{+}\)[(cAAC\(^{Me}\)H)BH\(_{2}\)R]− (R = sp\(^{3}\)-, sp\(^{2}\)-, or sp-hybridised organic substituent), by migration of one boron-bound hydrogen atom to the adjacent carbene carbon of the cAAC ligand. A subsequent deprotonation/salt metathesis reaction with Me3SiCl or spontaneous LiH elimination yielded the neutral cAAC-supported mono(organo)boranes, [(cAAC\(^{Me}\)H)BH\(_{2}\)R]− (R]. Similarly the reaction of [cAAC\(^{Me}\))BH\(_{3}\)] with a neutral donor base L resulted in adduct formation by shuttling one boron-bound hydrogen to the cAAC ligand, to generate [(cAAC\(^{Me}\)H)BH\(_{2}\)L], either irreversibly (L = cAAC\(^{Me}\)) or reversibly (L = pyridine). Variable-temperature NMR data and DFT calculations on [(cAAC\(^{Me}\)H)BH\(_{2}\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))] show that the hydrogen on the former carbene carbon atom exchanges rapidly with the boron-bound hydrides.
B≡N and B≡B triple bonds induce C-H activation of acetone to yield a (2-propenyloxy)aminoborane and an unsymmetrical 1-(2- propenyloxy)-2-hydrodiborene, respectively. DFT calculations showed that, despite their stark electronic differences, both the B≡N and B≡B triple bonds activate acetone via a similar coordination-deprotonation mechansim. In contrast, the reaction of acetone with a cAAC-supported diboracumulene yielded a unique 1,2,3-oxadiborole, which according to DFT calculations also proceeds via an unsymmetrical diborene, followed by intramolecular hydride migration and a second C-H activation of the enolate ligand.
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.
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.
N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), relatives of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), exhibit high nucleophilicity and soft Lewis basic character. To investigate their π‐electron donating ability, NHOs were attached to triarylborane π‐acceptors (A) giving donor (D)–π–A compounds 1–3. In addition, an enamine π‐donor analogue (4) was synthesized for comparison. UV–visible absorption studies show a larger red shift for the NHO‐containing boranes than for the enamine analogue, a relative of cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbenes (CAACs). Solvent‐dependent emission studies indicate that 1–4 have moderate intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) behavior. Electrochemical investigations reveal that the NHO‐containing boranes have extremely low reversible oxidation potentials (e.g., for 3, \(E^{ox}_{1/2}\) =−0.40 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium, Fc/Fc\(^+\), in THF). Time‐dependent (TD) DFT calculations show that the HOMOs of 1–3 are much more destabilized than that of the enamine‐containing 4, which confirms the stronger donating ability of NHOs.
A 1,4,2,3‐diazadiborinine derivative was found to form Lewis adducts with strong two‐electron donors such as N‐heterocyclic and cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes. Depending on the donor, some of these Lewis pairs are thermally unstable, converting to sole B,N‐embedded products upon gentle heating. The products of these reactions, which have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, were identified as B,N‐heterocycles with fused 1,5,2,4‐diazadiborepine and 1,4,2‐diazaborinine rings. Computational modelling of the reaction mechanism provides insight into the formation of these unique structures, suggesting that a series of B−H, C−N, and B−B bond activation steps are responsible for these “intercalation” reactions between the 1,4,2,3‐diazadiborinine and NHCs.
Up to three polychlorinated pyridyldiphenylmethyl radicals bridged by a triphenylamine carrying electron withdrawing (CN), neutral (Me), or donating (OMe) groups were synthesized and analogous radicals bridged by tris(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)borane were prepared for comparison. All compounds were as stable as common closed‐shell organic compounds and showed significant fluorescence upon excitation. Electronic, magnetic, absorption, and emission properties were examined in detail, and experimental results were interpreted using DFT calculations. Oxidation potentials, absorption and emission energies could be tuned depending on the electron density of the bridges. The triphenylamine bridges mediated intramolecular weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the radical spins, and the energy difference between the high spin and low spin states was determined by temperature dependent ESR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The fluorescent properties of all radicals were examined in detail and revealed no difference for high and low spin states which facilitates application of these dyes in two‐photon absorption spectroscopy and OLED devices.
The reactivity of a diruthenium tetrahydride complex towards three selected dihydroboranes was investigated. The use of [DurBH\(_{2}\)] (Dur=2,3,5,6‐Me\(_{4}\)C\(_{6}\)H) and [(Me\(_{3}\)Si)\(_{2}\)NBH\(_{2}\)] led to the formation of bridging borylene complexes of the form [(Cp\(^{*}\)RuH)\(_{2}\)BR] (Cp\(^{*}\)=C\(_{5}\)Me\(_{5}\); 1 a: R=Dur; 1 b: R=N(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)) through oxidative addition of the B−H bonds with concomitant hydrogen liberation. Employing the more electron‐deficient dihydroborane [3,5‐(CF\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)‐C\(_{6}\)H\(_{3}\)BH\(_{2}\)] led to the formation of an anionic complex bearing a tetraarylated chain of four boron atoms, namely Li(THF)\(_{4}\)[(Cp\(^{*}\)Ru)\(_{2}\)B\(_{4}\)H\(_{5}\)(3,5‐(CF\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)C\(_{6}\)H\(_{3}\))\(_{4}\)] (4), through an unusual, incomplete threefold dehydrocoupling process. A comparative theoretical investigation of the bonding in a simplified model of 4 and the analogous complex nido‐[1,2(Cp\(^{*}\)Ru)\(_{2}\)(μ‐H)B\(_{4}\)H\(_{9}\)] (I) indicates that there appear to be no classical σ‐bonds between the boron atoms in complex I, whereas in the case of 4 the B\(_{4}\) chain better resembles a network of three B−B σ bonds, the central bond being significantly weaker than the other two.
The steric and electronic properties of aryl substituents in monoaryl borohydrides (Li[ArBH\(_3\)]) and dihydroboranes were systematically varied and their reactions with [Ru(PCy\(_3\))\(_2\)HCl(H\(_2\))] (Cy: cyclohexyl) were studied, resulting in bis(σ)‐borane or terminal borylene complexes of ruthenium. These variations allowed for the investigation of the factors involved in the activation of dihydroboranes in the synthesis of terminal borylene complexes. The complexes were studied by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The experimental and computational results suggest that the ortho‐substitution of the aryl groups is necessary for the formation of terminal borylene complexes.
The electron‐precise binary boron subhalide species [B\(_2\)X\(_6\)]\(^{2−}\) X=F, Br, I) were synthesized and their structures confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The existence of the previously claimed [B\(_2\)Cl\(_6\)]\(^{2−}\), which had been questioned, was also confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The dianions are isoelectronic to hexahaloethanes, are subhalide analogues of the well‐known tetrahaloborate anions (BX\(_4\)\(^−\)), and are rare examples of molecular electron‐precise binary boron species beyond B\(_2\)X\(_4\), BX\(_3\), and [BX\(_4\)]\(^−\).
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.
2,2′-Bipyridyl is shown to spontaneously abstract a borylene fragment (R–B:) from various hypovalent boron compounds. This process is a redox reaction in which the bipyridine is reduced and becomes a dianionic substituent bound to boron through its two nitrogen atoms. Various transition metal–borylene complexes and diboranes, as a well as a diborene, take part in this reaction. In the latter case, our results show an intriguing example of the homolytic cleavage of a B═B double bond.
We present herein an in‐depth study of complexes in which a molecule containing a boron‐boron triple bond is bound to tellurate cations. The analysis allows the description of these salts as true π complexes between the B−B triple bond and the tellurium center. These complexes thus extend the well‐known Dewar‐Chatt‐Duncanson model of bonding to compounds made up solely of p block elements. Structural, spectroscopic and computational evidence is offered to argue that a set of recently reported heterocycles consisting of phenyltellurium cations complexed to diborynes bear all the hallmarks of \(\pi\)‐complexes in the \(\pi\)‐complex/metallacycle continuum envisioned by Joseph Chatt. Described as such, these compounds are unique in representing the extreme of a metal‐free continuum with conventional unsaturated three‐membered rings (cyclopropenes, azirenes, borirenes) occupying the opposite end.
Several bis(dimethylamino)‐substituted 1,4‐diaza‐2,3‐diborinines (DADBs) were synthesized with variable substituents at the backbone nitrogen atoms. By reaction with HCl or BX\(_{3}\) (X=Br, I), these species were successfully converted into their synthetically more useful halide congeners. The high versatility of the generated B−X bonds in further functionalization reactions at the boron centers was demonstrated by means of salt elimination (MeLi) and commutation (NMe\(_{2}\) DADBs) reactions, thus making the DADB system a general structural motif in diborane(4) chemistry. A total of 18 DADB derivatives were characterized in the solid state by X‐ray diffraction, revealing a strong dependence of the heterocyclic bonding parameters from the exocyclic substitution pattern at boron. According to our experiments towards the realization of a Dipp‐substituted, sterically encumbered DADB, the mechanism of DADB formation proceeds via a transient four‐membered azadiboretidine intermediate that subsequently undergoes ring expansion to afford the six‐membered DADB heterocycle.
cAAC‐Stabilized 9,10‐diboraanthracenes—Acenes with Open‐Shell Singlet Biradical Ground States
(2020)
Narrow HOMO–LUMO gaps and high charge‐carrier mobilities make larger acenes potentially high‐efficient materials for organic electronic applications. The performance of such molecules was shown to significantly increase with increasing number of fused benzene rings. Bulk quantities, however, can only be obtained reliably for acenes up to heptacene. Theoretically, (oligo)acenes and (poly)acenes are predicted to have open‐shell singlet biradical and polyradical ground states, respectively, for which experimental evidence is still scarce. We have now been able to dramatically lower the HOMO–LUMO gap of acenes without the necessity of unfavorable elongation of their conjugated π system, by incorporating two boron atoms into the anthracene skeleton. Stabilizing the boron centers with cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes gives neutral 9,10‐diboraanthracenes, which are shown to feature disjointed, open‐shell singlet biradical ground states.
We synthesized new pyrene derivatives with strong bis(para ‐methoxyphenyl)amine donors at the 2,7‐positions and n ‐azaacene acceptors at the K‐region of pyrene. The compounds possess a strong intramolecular charge transfer, leading to unusual properties such as emission in the red to NIR region (700 nm), which has not been reported before for monomeric pyrenes. Detailed photophysical studies reveal very long intrinsic lifetimes of >100 ns for the new compounds, which is typical for 2,7‐substituted pyrenes but not for K‐region substituted pyrenes. The incorporation of strong donors and acceptors leads to very low reduction and oxidation potentials, and spectroelectrochemical studies show that the compounds are on the borderline between localized Robin‐Day class‐II and delocalized Robin‐Day class‐III species.
N-Heterocyclic Carbene and Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Complexes of Titanium(IV) and Titanium(III)
(2020)
The reaction of one and two equivalents of the N ‐heterocyclic carbene IMes [IMes = 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐phenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] or the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene cAAC\(^{Me}\) [cAAC\(^{Me}\) = 1‐(2,6‐diisopropyl‐phenyl)‐3,3,5,5‐tetra‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene] with [TiCl\(_{4}\)] in n ‐hexane results in the formation of mono‐ and bis‐carbene complexes [TiCl\(_{4}\)(IMes)] 1 , [TiCl\(_{4}\)(IMes)2] 2 , [TiCl\(_{4}\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))] 3 , and [TiCl\(_{4}\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))\(_{2}\)] 4 , respectively. For comparison, the titanium(IV) NHC complex [TiCl\(_{4}\)(Ii Pr\(^{Me}\))] 5 (Ii Pr\(^{Me}\) = 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reaction of [TiCl\(_{4}\)(IMes)] 1 with PMe\(_{3}\) affords the mixed substituted complex [TiCl\(_{4}\)(IMes)(PMe\(_{3}\))] 6 . The reactions of [TiCl\(_{3}\)(THF)\(_{3}\)] with two equivalents of the carbenes IMes and cAAC\(^{Me}\) in n ‐hexane lead to the clean formation of the titanium(III) complexes [TiCl\(_{3}\)(IMes)\(_{2}\)] 7 and [TiCl\(_{3}\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))\(_{2}\)] 8 . Compounds 1 –8 have been completely characterized by elemental analysis, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and for 2 –5 , 7 and 8 by X‐ray diffraction. Magnetometry in solution, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and DFT calculations performed on 7 and 8 are indicative of a predominantly metal‐centered d\(^{1}\)‐radical in both cases.
We synthesized a series of new mono‐, di‐, tri‐ and tetra‐substituted perylene derivatives with strong bis(para‐methoxyphenyl)amine (DPA) donors at the uncommon 2,5,8,11‐positions. The properties of our new donor‐substituted perylenes were studied in detail to establish a structure‐property relationship. Interesting trends and unusual properties are observed for this series of new perylene derivatives, such as a decreasing charge transfer (CT) character with increasing number of DPA moieties and individual reversible oxidations for each DPA moiety. Thus, (DPA)‐Per possesses one reversible oxidation while (DPA)\(_{4}\)‐Per has four. The mono‐ and di‐substituted derivatives display unusually large Stokes shifts not previously reported for perylenes. Furthermore, transient absorption measurements of the new derivatives reveal an excited state with lifetimes of several hundred microseconds, which sensitizes singlet oxygen with quantum yields of up to 0.83.
Diplatinum A‐frame complexes with a bridging (di)boron unit in the apex position were synthesized in a single step by the double oxidative addition of dihalo(di)borane precursors at a bis(diphosphine)‐bridged Pt\(^{0}\)\(_{2}\) complex. While structurally analogous to well‐known μ‐borylene complexes, in which delocalized dative three‐center‐two‐electron M‐B‐M bonding prevails, theoretical investigations into the nature of Pt−B bonding in these A‐frame complexes show them to be rare dimetalla(di)boranes displaying two electron‐sharing Pt−B σ‐bonds. This is experimentally reflected in the low kinetic stability of these compounds, which are prone to loss of the (di)boron bridgehead unit.
Tetraiododiborane(4) (B\(_2\)I\(_4\)) is a Polymer based on sp\(^3\) Boron in the Solid State
(2020)
Herein we present the first solid‐state structures of tetraiododiborane(4) (B\(_2\)I\(_4\)), which was long believed to exist in all phases as discrete molecules with planar, tricoordinate boron atoms, like the lighter tetrahalodiboranes(4) B\(_2\)F\(_4\), B\(_2\)Cl\(_4\), and B\(_2\)Br\(_4\). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state NMR, and IR measurements indicate that B\(_2\)I\(_4\) in fact exists as two different polymeric forms in the solid state, both of which feature boron atoms in tetrahedral environments. DFT calculations are used to simulate the IR spectra of the solution and solid‐state structures, and these are compared with the experimental spectra.
Geringe HOMO-LUMO-Abstände und eine hohe Ladungsträgermobilität prädestinieren die höheren Acene für Anwendungen im Bereich der Organoelektronik. Die Leistungsfähigkeit derartiger Verbindungen steigt hierbei dramatisch mit der Anzahl anellierter Benzolringe. Größere Acenmengen sind synthetisch bisher jedoch nur für Acene bis Heptacen verlässlich zugänglich. Theoretischen Studien zufolge besitzen (Oligo)acene offenschalige Singulettbiradikal- und (Poly)acene polyradikalische Grundzustände. Eindeutige experimentelle Belege für diese Vorhersagen sind hingegen äußerst selten. Durch den Einbau von zwei Boratomen in das Anthracengrundgerüst konnten wir den HOMO-LUMO-Abstand von Acenen dramatisch verringern und zwar ohne die Notwendigkeit einer Ausweitung des konjugierten π-Systems. Stabilisierung der Borzentren durch cyclische (Alkyl)(amino)carbene lieferte hierbei neutrale 9,10-Diboraanthracene mit disjunkten, offenschaligen Singulettbiradikal-Grundzuständen.
A cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) has been shown to react with a covalent azide similar to the Staudinger reaction. The reaction of \(^{Me}\)CAAC with trimethylsilyl azide afforded the N‐silylated 2‐iminopyrrolidine (\(^{Me}\)CAAC=NSiMe\(_{3}\)), which was fully characterized. This compound undergoes hydrolysis to afford the 2‐iminopyrrolidine and trimethylsiloxane which co‐crystallize as a hydrogen‐bonded adduct. The N‐silylated 2‐iminopyrrolidine was used to transfer the novel pyrrolidine‐2‐iminato ligand onto both main‐group and transition‐metal centers. The reaction of the tetrabromodiborane bis(dimethyl sulfide) adduct with two equivalents of \(^{Me}\)CAAC=NSiMe\(_{3}\) afforded the disubstituted diborane. The reaction of \(^{Me}\)CAAC=NSiMe\(_{3}\) with TiCl\(_{4}\) and CpTiCl\(_{3}\) afforded \(^{Me}\)CAAC=NTiCl\(_{3}\) and \(^{Me}\)CAAC=NTiCl\(_{2}\)Cp, respectively.
The reaction of aryl‐ and amino(dihydro)boranes with dibora[2]ferrocenophane 1 leads to the formation 1,3‐trans ‐dihydrotriboranes by formal hydrogenation and insertion of a borylene unit into the B=B bond. The aryltriborane derivatives undergo reversible photoisomerization to the cis ‐1,2‐μ‐H‐3‐hydrotriboranes, while hydride abstraction affords cationic triboranes, which represent the first doubly base‐stabilized B3H4\(^+\) analogues.
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).
Using a new divergent approach, conjugated triarylborane dendrimers were synthesized up to the 2nd generation. The synthetic strategy consists of three steps: 1) functionalization, via iridium catalyzed C−H borylation; 2) activation, via fluorination of the generated boronate ester with K[HF\(_{2}\)] or [N(nBu\(_{4}\))][HF\(_{2}\)]; and 3) expansion, via reaction of the trifluoroborate salts with aryl Grignard reagents. The concept was also shown to be viable for a convergent approach. All but one of the conjugated borane dendrimers exhibit multiple, distinct and reversible reduction potentials, making them potentially interesting materials for applications in molecular accumulators. Based on their photophysical properties, the 1st generation dendrimers exhibit good conjugation over the whole system. However, the conjugation does not increase further upon expansion to the 2nd generation, but the molar extinction coefficients increase linearly with the number of triarylborane subunits, suggesting a potential application as photonic antennas.
Planar Cyclopenten‐4‐yl Cations: Highly Delocalized π Aromatics Stabilized by Hyperconjugation
(2020)
Theoretical studies predicted the planar cyclopenten‐4‐yl cation to be a classical carbocation, and the highest‐energy isomer of C\(_{5}\)H\(_{7}\)\(^{+}\). Hence, its existence has not been verified experimentally so far. We were now able to isolate two stable derivatives of the cyclopenten‐4‐yl cation by reaction of bulky alanes Cp\(^{R}\)AlBr\(_{2}\) with AlBr3. Elucidation of their (electronic) structures by X‐ray diffraction and quantum chemistry studies revealed planar geometries and strong hyperconjugation interactions primarily from the C−Al σ bonds to the empty p orbital of the cationic sp\(^{2}\) carbon center. A close inspection of the molecular orbitals (MOs) and of the anisotropy of current (induced) density (ACID), as well as the evaluation of various aromaticity descriptors indicated distinct aromaticity for these cyclopenten‐4‐yl derivatives, which strongly contrasts the classical description of this system. Here, strong delocalization of π electrons spanning the whole carbocycle has been verified, thus providing rare examples of π aromaticity involving saturated sp\(^{3}\) carbon atoms.
Three different perfluoroalkylated borafluorenes (\(^{F}\)Bf) were prepared and their electronic and photophysical properties were investigated. The systems have four trifluoromethyl moieties on the borafluorene moiety as well as two trifluoromethyl groups at the ortho positions of their exo‐aryl moieties. They differ with regard to the para substituents on their exo‐aryl moieties, being a proton \(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf, \(^{F}\)Xyl: 2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), a trifluoromethyl group (\(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf, \(^{F}\)Mes: 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) or a dimethylamino group (p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf, p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl: 4‐(dimethylamino)‐2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), respectively. All derivatives exhibit extraordinarily low reduction potentials, comparable to those of perylenediimides. The most electron‐deficient derivative \(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf was also chemically reduced and its radical anion isolated and characterized. Furthermore, all compounds exhibit very long fluorescent lifetimes of about 250 ns up to 1.6 μs; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this differ. The donor‐substituted derivative p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) from a charge‐transfer (CT) state, whereas the \(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf and FXylFBf borafluorenes exhibit only weakly allowed locally excited (LE) transitions due to their symmetry and low transition‐dipole moments.
Boron's unique position in the Periodic Table, that is, at the apex of the line separating metals and nonmetals, makes it highly versatile in chemical reactions and applications. Contemporary demand for renewable and clean energy as well as energy‐efficient products has seen boron playing key roles in energy‐related research, such as 1) activating and synthesizing energy‐rich small molecules, 2) storing chemical and electrical energy, and 3) converting electrical energy into light. These applications are fundamentally associated with boron's unique characteristics, such as its electron‐deficiency and the availability of an unoccupied p orbital, which allow the formation of a myriad of compounds with a wide range of chemical and physical properties. For example, boron's ability to achieve a full octet of electrons with four covalent bonds and a negative charge has led to the synthesis of a wide variety of borate anions of high chemical and electrochemical stability—in particular, weakly coordinating anions. This Review summarizes recent advances in the study of boron compounds for energy‐related processes and applications.
We investigate NCl\(_{3}\) and the NCl\(_{2}\) radical by photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. The mass selected threshold photoelectron spectrum (ms-TPES) of NCl\(_{3}\) is broad and unstructured due to the large geometry change. An ionization energy of 9.7±0.1 eV is estimated from the spectrum and supported by computations. NCl2 is generated by photolysis at 213 nm from NCl\(_{3}\) and its ms-TPES shows an extended vibrational progression with a 90 meV spacing that is assigned to the symmetric N−Cl stretching mode in the cation. An adiabatic ionization energy of 9.94 ± 0.02 eV is determined.
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.
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.
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.