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Upon complexation to CuOTf, a PMe\(_3\)-stabilized bis(9-anthryl) diborene slowly undergoes an intramolecular hydroarylation reaction at room temperature. Subsequent triflation of the B–H bond with CuOTf, followed by a PMe\(_3\) transfer, finally yields a cyclic sp\(^2\)-sp\(^3\) boryl-substituted boronium triflate salt.
Dihalodiboranes(4) react with an N-heterocyclic silylene (NHSi) to generate NHSi-adducts of 1-aryl-2-silyl-1,2-diboraindanes as confirmed by X-ray crystallography, featuring the functionalization of both B–X (X = halogen) bonds and a C–H bond under mild conditions. Coordination of a third NHSi to the proposed 1,1-diaryl- 2,2-disilyldiborane(4) intermediates, generated by a two-fold B–X insertion, may be crucial for the C–H borylation that leads to the final products. Notably, our results demonstrate the first C–H borylation with a strong B–F bond activated by silylene insertion.
Under a CO atmosphere the dihydrodiborene [(cAAC)HB=BH(cAAC)] underwent coordination of CO concomitant with reversible hydrogen migration from boron to the carbene carbon atom, as well as reversible CO insertion into the B=B bond. Heating of the CO-adduct resulted in two unusual cAAC ring-expansion products, one presenting a B=C bond to a six-membered 1,2-azaborinane-3-ylidene, the other an unprecedented nine-membered cyclic alkyne resulting from reductive cleavage of CO and spontaneous C≡C triple bond formation.
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.
Cyclic diboranes(4) based on a chelating monoanionic, benzylphosphine linker were prepared by boron-silicon exchange between arylsilanes and B\(_2\)Br\(_4\). Coordination of Lewis bases to the remaining sp\(^2\) boron atom yielded unsymmetrical sp\(^3\)-sp\(^3\) diboranes, which were reduced with KC\(_8\) to their corresponding trans-diborenes. These compounds were studied by a combination of spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations. PMe\(_3\)-stabilized diborene 6 was found to undergo thermal rearrangement to gem- diborene 8. DFT calculations on 8 reveal a polar boron-boron bond, and indicate that the compound is best described as a borylborylene.
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+.
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.
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.
Simple Solution-Phase Syntheses of Tetrahalodiboranes(4) and their Labile Dimethylsulfide Adducts
(2017)
Convenient, solution-phase syntheses of tetrahalodiboranes(4) B\(_2\)F\(_4\), B\(_2\)Cl\(_4\) and B\(_2\)I\(_4\) are presented herein from common precursor B\(_2\)Br\(_4\). In addition, the dimethylsulfide adducts B\(_2\)Cl\(_4\)(SMe\(_2\))\(_2\) and B\(_2\)Br\(_4\)(SMe\(_2\))\(_2\) are conveniently prepared in one-step syntheses from the commercially-available starting material B\(_2\)(NMe\(_2\))\(_4\). The results provide simple access to the full range of tetrahalodiboranes(4) for the exploration of their untapped synthetic potential.
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 desymmetrization of the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene-supported diboracumulene, B\(_2\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))\(_2\) (cAAC\(^{Me}\) = 1- (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) by mono-adduct formation with IMe\(^{Me}\) (1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) yields the zerovalent sp-sp\(^2\) diboron compound B\(_2\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))\(_2\)(IMe\(^{Me}\)), which provides a versatile platform for the synthesis of novel symmetrical and unsymmetrical zerovalent sp\(^2\)-sp\(^2\) diboron compounds by adduct formation with IMe\(^{Me}\) and CO, respectively. Furthermore, B\(_2\)(cAAC\(^{Me}\))\(_2\)(IMe\(^{Me}\)) displays enhanced reactivity compared to its symmetrical precursor, undergoing spontaneous intramolecular C-H activation and facile twofold hydrogenation, the latter resulting in B-B bond cleavage and the formation of the mixed-base parent borylene, (cAAC\(^{Me}\))(IMe\(^{Me}\))BH.
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.
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.
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.
A compound with a boron-boron triple bond is shown to undergo stepwise hydroboration reactions with catecholborane to yield an unsymmetrical hydro(boryl)diborene and a 2,3-dihydrotetraborane. Abstraction of H– from the latter compound produces an unusual cationic, planar tetraborane with a hydrogen atom bridging the central B2 moiety. Spectroscopic and crystallographic data and DFT calculations support a ‘protonated diborene’ structure for this compound, which can also be accessed via direct protonation of the corresponding diborene.
The lability of B=B, B-P and B-halide bonds is combined in the syntheses of the first diiododiborenes. In a series of reactivity tests, these diiododiborenes demonstrate cleavage of all six of their central bonds in different ways, leading to products of B=B hydrogenation and dihalogenation as well as halide exchange.
A doubly base-stabilized diborane based on a benzylphosphine linker was prepared by a salt elimination reaction between 2-LiC\(_6\)H\(_4\)CH\(_2\)PCy\(_2\).Et\(_2\)O and B\(_2\)Br\(_4\). This compound was reduced with KC8 to its corresponding diborene, with the benzylphosphine forming a five-membered chelate. The diborene reacts with butadiene, 2-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene and isoprene to form 4,5-diboracyclohexenes, which interconvert between their 1,1- (geminal) and 1,2- (vicinal) chelated isomers. The 1,1-chelated diborene undergoes a halide-catalysed isomerisation into its thermodynamically favoured 1,2-isomer, which undergoes Diels-Alder reactions more slowly than the kinetic product.
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.
Sterically unencumbered diborenes based on a benzylphosphine chelate undergo diboration reactions with bis(catecholato)diboron in the absence of a catalyst to yield tetraboranes. The symmetrical diborenes studied undergo 1,2- diborations, whereas an unsymmetrical derivative was found to yield a triborylborane-phosphine adduct as the result of a formal 1,1-diboration. A related borylborylene compound also underwent a 1,2-diboration to produce a borylene-borane adduct.
The addition of alkynes to a staturated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-supported diboryne results in spontaneous cycloaddition, with complete B≡B and C≡C triple bond cleavage, NHC ring- expansion and activation of a variety of C-H bonds, leading to the formation of complex mixtures of fused B,N-heterocycles.
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.
The transfer hydrogenation of NHC-supported diborenes with dimethylamine borane proceeds with high selectivity for the trans-1,2-dihydrodiboranes(6). DFT calculations suggest a stepwise proton-first-hydride-second reaction mechanism via an intermediate μ-hydrodiboronium dimethylaminoborate ion pair.
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.
The reductive coupling of an NHC-stabilized aryldibromoborane yields a mixture of trans- and cis-diborenes in which the aryl groups are coplanar with the diborene core. Under dilute reduction conditions two diastereomers of a borirane-borane intermediate are isolated, which upon further reduction give rise to the aforementioned diborene mixture. DFT calculations suggest a mechanism proceeding via nucleophilic attack of a dicoordinate borylene intermediate on the aryl ring and subsequent intramolecular B-B bond formation.
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.
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.
A series of 22 new bis(phosphine), bis(carbene) and bis(isonitrile) tetrahalodiborane adducts has been synthesized, either by direct adduct formation with highly sensitive B2X4 precursors (X = Cl, Br, I) or by ligand exchange at stable B2X4(SMe2)2 precursors (X = Cl, Br) with labile dimethylsulfide ligands. The isolated compounds have been fully characterized using NMR spectroscopic, (C,H,N)- elemental and, for 20 of these compounds, X-ray crystallographic analysis, revealing an unexpected variation in the bonding motifs. Besides the classical B2X4L2 diborane(6) adducts, some of the more sterically demanding carbene ligands induce a halide displacement leading to the first halide-bridged monocationic diboron species, [B2X3L2]A (A = BCl4, Br, I). Furthermore, low-temperature 1:1 reactions of B2Cl4 with sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbenes led to the formation of kinetically unstable mono-adducts, one of which was structurally characterized. A comparison of the NMR and structural data of new and literature-known bis-adducts shows several trends pertaining to the nature of the halides and the stereoelectronic properties of the Lewis bases employed.
no abstract available
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Whereas the reduction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilised cymantrenyldibromoboranes, (NHC)BBr\(_2\)Cym, in benzene results in formation of the corresponding diborenes (NHC)\(_2\)B\(_2\)Cym\(_2\), a change of solvent to THF yields a borylene of the form (NHC)\(_2\)BCym, stabilised through its boratafulvene resonance form.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The dimethylbismuth cation: entry into dative Bi-Bi bonding and unconventional methyl exchange
(2021)
The dimethyl bismuth cation, [BiMe\(_2\)(SbF\(_6\))], has been isolated and characterized. Reaction with BiMe\(_3\) allows access to the first compound featuring Bi→Bi donor–acceptor bonding. In solution, dynamic behavior with methyl exchange via an unusual S\(_E\)2 mechanism is observed, underlining the unique properties of bismuth species as soft Lewis acids with the ability to undergo reversible Bi−C bond cleavage.