Competition for Hydride Between Silicon and Boron: Synthesis and Characterization of a Hydroborane-Stabilized Silylium Ion

Potent main-group Lewis acids are capable of activating element-hydrogen bonds. To probe the rivalry for hydride between silylium- and borenium-ion centers, a neutral precursor with the hydrosilane and hydroborane units in close proximity on a naphthalene-1,8-diyl platform was designed. Abstraction of one hydride leads to a hydroborane-stabilized silylium ion rather than a hydrosilane-coordinated borenium ion paired with [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ or [HCB₁₁Cl₁₁]⁻ as counteranions. Characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction supported by DFT calculations reveals a cationic, unsymmetrical open three-center, two-electron (3c2e) Si−H−B linkage.     

Hückel's Rule of Aromaticity Categorizes Aromatic closo Boron Hydride Clusters

A direct connection is established between three‐dimensional aromatic closo boron hydride clusters and planar aromatic [n]annulenes for medium and large boron clusters. In particular, the results prove the existence of a link between the two‐dimensional Hückel rule, as followed by aromatic [n]annulenes, and Wade–Mingos’ rule of three‐dimensional aromaticity, as applied to the aromatic [B_nH_n]^2? closo boron hydride clusters. The closo boron hydride clusters can be categorized into different series, according to the n value of the Hückel (4 n+2) π rule. The distinct categories studied in this work correspond to n=1, 2, and 3. Each category increases in geometrical difficulty but, more importantly, it is possible to associate each category with the number of pentagonal layers in the structure perpendicular to the main axis. Category 1 has one pentagonal layer, category 2 has two, and category 3 has three.     

Synthesis and Structure of Novel Organocycloborates

A series of α,ω‐boryl(bromo)alkanes of the general formula R₂B? (CH₂)_n? Br (n=3, 4, 5, 6) was obtained in high yield following a standard hydroboration protocol. Upon treatment with Mg turnings and formation of the respective Grignard species, all alkanes with n=4 to 6 underwent an unprecedented boron‐centered cyclisation reaction with formation of boratacyclopentanes, ‐hexanes, and ‐heptanes, respectively. All new compounds were isolated in high yields as colourless, crystalline materials and characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Four representative examples were chosen for X‐ray diffraction studies, thus providing the first structurally characterised ring systems of that size at a tetraalkyl borate centre.     

Visible-Light Controlled Divergent Catalysis Using a Bench-Stable Cobalt(I) Hydride Complex

While the use of visible light in conjunction with transition metal catalysis offers powerful opportunities to switch between on/-off states of catalytic activity, the next frontier would be the ability to switch the actual function of the catalyst and resulting products. Here we report such an example of multi-dimensional catalysis. Featuring an easily prepared, bench-stable cobalt(I) hydride complex in conjunction with pinacolborane, we can switch the reaction outcome between two widely employed transformations, olefin migration and hydroboration, with visible light as the trigger.     

Two‐Dimensional Boron Hydride Sheets: High Stability,Massless Dirac Fermions,and Excellent Mechanical Properties

Two‐dimensional (2D) boron sheets have been successfully synthesized in recent experiments, however, some important issues remain, including the dynamical instability, high energy, and the active surface of the sheets. In an attempt to stabilize 2D boron layers, we have used density functional theory and global minimum search with the particle‐swarm optimization method to predict four stable 2D boron hydride layers, namely the C2/m, Pbcm, Cmmm, and Pmmn sheets. The vibrational normal mode calculations reveal all these structures are dynamically stable, indicating potential for successful experimental synthesis. The calculated Young's modulus indicates a high mechanical strength for the C2/m and Pbcm phases. Most importantly, the C2/m, Pbcm, and Pmmn structures exhibit Dirac cones with massless Dirac fermions and the Fermi velocities for the Pbcm and Cmmm structures are even higher than that of graphene. The Cmmm phase is reported as the first discovery of Dirac ring material among boron‐based 2D structures. The unique electronic structure of the 2D boron hydride sheets makes them ideal for nanoelectronics applications.     

Chiral Gold(III) Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Potential Applications

Since the beginning of the 2000’s, homogeneous gold catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool to promote the cyclization of unsaturated substrates with excellent regioselectivity allowing the synthesis of elaborated organic scaffolds. An important goal to achieve in gold catalysis is the possibility to induce enantioselective transformations by the assistance of chiral complexes. Unfortunately, the linear geometry of coordination for gold usually encountered in complexes at the +1 oxidation states renders this goal very challenging. In consequence, the interest toward the synthesis of chiral gold(III) complexes is steadily growing. Indeed, the square planar geometry of the gold(III) cation appears more suitable to promote chiral induction. Beside catalysis, gold(III) complexes have also shown promising potential in the field of pharmacology. Herein, syntheses and applications of well-defined gold(III) complexes reported over the last fifteen years are summarized.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Amidoaluminum Hydride Compounds as Potential Precursors to AlN

A new series of amidoaluminum hydride complexes H _n Al[N(SiHMe₂)₂]_3–n NMe₃ (1, n=2; 2, n=1), Al[N(SiHMe₂)₂]₃ (3), and [H₂AlN(SiHMe₂)₂]₂ (4) were prepared by the metallation of tetramethyldisilazane (Me₂HSi)₂NH with either H₃AlNMe₃ or H₃Al2OEt₂. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were shown by X-ray crystal structure determination to be monomeric Lewis acid-base adducts with four coordinate aluminum centers and terminal amido groups. The molecular structure of 4 was found to be a dimer with bridging disilylamides in the solid state. Attempts to obtain crystals of [H₂AlN(SiMe₃)₂]₂, a bulkier analogue of 4, led to the isolation of the unusual alumoxane ²-(Me₃Si)₂ N-(AlH₂)₂- ³-O-Al(H)N(SiMe₃)₂OEt₂ (6) in moderate yields. Thermolysis of 1 and 2 resulted only in the formation of ligand exchange and decomposition products, whereas thermolysis of 4 at 80°C afforded 1 equivalent of Me₂SiH₂ and a new species formulated as the imide complex [HAlNSiMe₂H] _n (7). Thermolysis of 4 in the presence of AlH₃NMe₃ gave Me₂SiH₂ and 7 at a higher reaction rate even at a lower temperature.     

Fast and Long-Lasting Iron(III) Reduction by Boron Toward Green and Accelerated Fenton Chemistry

Generation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton system (Fe^II/H₂O₂) is seriously limited by the sluggish kinetics of Fe^III reduction and fast Fe^III precipitation. Here, boron crystals (C-Boron) remarkably accelerate the Fe^III/Fe^II circulation in Fenton-like systems (C-Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂) to produce a myriad of hydroxyl radicals with excellent efficiencies in oxidative degradation of various pollutants. The surface B−B bonds and interfacial suboxide boron in the surface B₁₂ icosahedra are the active sites to donate electrons to promote fast Fe^III reduction to Fe^II and further enhance hydroxyl radical production via Fenton chemistry. The C-Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂ system outperforms the benchmark Fenton (Fe^II/H₂O₂) and Fe^III-based sulfate radical systems. The reactivity and stability of crystalline boron is much higher than the popular molecular reducing agents, nanocarbons, and other metal/metal-free nanomaterials.     

Bis(cyclopropenium)phosphines: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Applications

A straightforward route for the preparation of a set of bis(cyclopropenium)‐substituted phosphines is reported. Due to their dicationic nature, these ligands depict an excellent π‐acceptor character. The effect of the ligand substituent pattern on the catalytic activity of the metal complexes thereof derived is also studied. Whereas sterically demanding biaryl groups directly attached to the phosphorus atom seem to facilitate elementary steps such as the product release from the catalyst, long chain dialkylamino groups on the cyclopropenium units maximize the catalysts solubility and, thus, allow the use of typical apolar solvents such as toluene. Importantly, all new ligands prepared can be easily handled in air. Finally, the impact of the newly prepared dicationic phosphines in hydroarylation reactions is demonstrated. In particular, their use in the synthesis of several naphtho[1,2‐b]furanes and naturally occurring naphthalene derivatives such as Calanquinone C is reported.     

Controlled Synthesis of Oligomers Containing Main-Chain B(sp2)-B(sp2) Bonds

A number of novel alkynyl-functionalized diarylbis(dimethylamino)diboranes(4) are prepared by salt metathesis, and the appended alkynyl groups are subjected to hydroboration. Their reactions with monohydroboranes lead to discrete boryl-appended diborane(4) species, while dihydroboranes induce their catenation to oligomeric species, the first known examples of well-characterized macromolecular species with B−B bonds. The oligomeric species were found to comprise up to ten repeat units and are soluble in common organic solvents. Some of the oligomeric species have good air stability and all were characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography techniques.     

Ring‐Shaped Phosphinoamido‐Magnesium‐Hydride Complexes: Syntheses,Structures, Reactivity,and Catalysis

A series of magnesium(II) complexes bearing the sterically demanding phosphinoamide ligand, L^?=Ph₂PNDip^?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, including heteroleptic magnesium alkyl and hydride complexes are described. The ligand geometry enforces various novel ring and cluster geometries for the heteroleptic compounds. We have studied the stoichiometric reactivity of [(LMgH)₄] towards unsaturated substrates, and investigated catalytic hydroborations and hydrosilylations of ketones and pyridines. We found that hydroborations of two ketones with pinacolborane using various Mg precatalysts is very rapid at room temperature with very low catalyst loadings, and ketone hydrosilylation using phenylsilane is rapid at 70 °C. Our studies point to an insertion/σ‐bond metathesis catalytic cycle of an in situ formed “MgH₂” active species.     

Cationic Zinc Hydride Catalyzed Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Formate: Deciphering Elementary Reactions,Isolation of Intermediates,and Computational Investigations

Zinc has been an element of choice for carbon dioxide reduction in recent years. Zinc compounds have been showcased as catalysts for carbon dioxide hydrosilylation and hydroboration. The extent of carbon dioxide reduction can depend on various factors, including electrophilicity at the zinc center and the denticity of the ancillary ligands. In a few cases, the addition of Lewis acids to zinc hydride catalysts markedly influences carbon dioxide reduction. These factors have been investigated by exploring elementary reactions of carbon dioxide hydrosilylation and hydroboration by using cationic zinc hydrides bearing tetradentate tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine and tridentate N,N,N′,N′′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine in the presence of triphenylborane and tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane.     

Fast and Long‐Lasting Iron(III) Reduction by Boron Toward Green and Accelerated Fenton Chemistry

Generation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton system (Fe^II/H₂O₂) is seriously limited by the sluggish kinetics of Fe^III reduction and fast Fe^III precipitation. Here, boron crystals (C‐Boron) remarkably accelerate the Fe^III/Fe^II circulation in Fenton‐like systems (C‐Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂) to produce a myriad of hydroxyl radicals with excellent efficiencies in oxidative degradation of various pollutants. The surface B?B bonds and interfacial suboxide boron in the surface B₁₂ icosahedra are the active sites to donate electrons to promote fast Fe^III reduction to Fe^II and further enhance hydroxyl radical production via Fenton chemistry. The C‐Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂ system outperforms the benchmark Fenton (Fe^II/H₂O₂) and Fe^III‐based sulfate radical systems. The reactivity and stability of crystalline boron is much higher than the popular molecular reducing agents, nanocarbons, and other metal/metal‐free nanomaterials.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Borole‐Functionalized Ferrocenes

Herein, we report on the synthesis of ferrocenylborole [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)₂] featuring two borole moieties in the 1,1′‐positions. The results of NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction studies provided conclusive evidence for the enhanced Lewis acidity of the boron centers resulting from the conjugation of two borole fragments. This finding was further validated by the reaction of [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)₂] and the 4‐Me‐NC₅H₄ adduct of monoborole [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)], which led to quantitative transfer of the Lewis base. The coordination chemistry of ferrocenylboroles was further studied by examining their reactivity towards several pyridine bases. Accordingly, the strong Lewis acidity of boroles in general was nicely demonstrated by the reaction of [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)] with 4,4′‐bipyridine. Unlike common borane derivatives such as [FcBMe₂], which only forms a 2:1 adduct, we also succeeded in the isolation of a 1:1 Lewis acid/base adduct, with one nitrogen donor of 4,4′‐bipyridine remaining uncoordinated. In addition, the reduction chemistry of ferrocenylboroles [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)] and [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)₂] has been studied in more detail. Thus, depending on the reducing agent and the reaction stoichiometry, chemical reduction of [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)] might lead to the migration of the borolediide fragment towards the iron center, affording dianions with either η⁵‐coordinated C₅H₄ or η⁵‐coordinated BC₄Ph₄ moieties. In contrast, no evidence for borole migration was observed during reduction of bisborole [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)₂], which readily resulted in the formation of the corresponding tetraanion. Finally, our efforts to further enhance the borole ratio in ferrocenylboroles aiming at the synthesis of [Fc(BC₄Ph₄)₄] failed and, instead, generated an uncommon ansa‐ferrocene containing two borole fragments in the 1,1′‐positions and a B₂C₄ ansa‐bridge.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Lewis Base Stabilized Plumbacyclopentadienylidenes

Plumbacyclopentadienylidenes, in which the lead atoms have divalent states and are coordinated by THF, pyridine and N‐heterocyclic carbene, were synthesized and characterized. The THF‐ and pyridine‐stabilized compounds can be regarded as rare examples of hypervalent 10‐X‐4 species. The equilibrium between the THF adduct and the free plumbacyclopentadienylidene was evidenced by spectroscopic analysis and theoretical calculations. The THF adduct in benzene converted into a plumbylene dimer, where one of the lead centers is coordinated by THF and the other lead atom is coordinated by a divalent lead atom, the dimer gradually decomposing into spiroplumbole. The THF adduct unexpectedly reacted with trifluoroborane and trichlorogallane to afford fluoroborole and chlorogallole, which are the first examples of non‐annulated fluoroborole and gallole, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a dihydrido borenium cation

Bottled! The employment of hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane as ancillary ligand has allowed the isolation of the otherwise transient dihydrido borenium cation.