[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH2]+[Bis(triazolyl)–BH2]− Ionic Liquids with High Density and Energy Capacity

[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[bis(triazolyl)–BH₂]^? and [bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[tris(triazolyl)–BH]^? were synthesized, the cations and anions of which were functionalized with B?H groups and azoles. As B?H groups contribute to the hypergolic activity and azole groups improve the energy output, the resulting ionic liquids exhibited ignition delay times as low as 20 ms and energy outputs as high as 461.1 kJ mol^?1. In addition, densities (1.07–1.22 g cm^?3) and density‐specific impulse (≈360 s g cm^?3) values reached a relatively high level. These ionic liquids show great promise as sustainable rocket fuels.     

Comment on “Realization of Lewis Basic Sodium Anion in the NaBH3− Cluster”

We challenge the interpretation of the chemical bond in NaBH₃^? proposed by Liu et al. We argue that NaBH₃^? has an electron‐sharing Na?BH₃^? covalent bond rather than a dative bond Na^?→BH₃.     

Bis(η5‐isopropyltetramethylcyclo­pentadienyl)(tetrahydroborato‐κ3H,H′,H′′)(tetrahydrofuran‐O)‐samarium(III): a lanthanidocene complex with a tridentate tetrahydroborato ligand

The lanthanidocene complex [Sm(BH₄)(C₁₂H₁₉)₂(C₄H₈O)], (I), shows a distorted tetrahedral arrangement around the central Sm^III atom. It consists of two η⁵‐isopropyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands, one tetrahydroborato (BH₄^?) ligand bridging via H atoms to the lanthanide atom and one coordinating tetrahydrofuran (thf) molecule. The BH₄^? unit of (I) coordinates as a tridentate ligand with three bridging H atoms and one terminal H atom [Sm—B—H4 176 (2)°]. The η⁵‐isopropyl­tetra­methylcyclopentadienyl ligands of this bent‐sandwich complex [Cp1—Sm—Cp2 133.53 (1)° where Cp denotes the centroid of the cyclopentadienyl ring] adopt staggered conformations.     

Fine‐Tuning of Lewis Acidity: The Case of Borenium Hydride Complexes Derived from Bis(phosphinimino)amide Boron Precursors

Reactions of bis(phosphinimino)amines LH and L′H with Me₂S ? BH₂Cl afforded chloroborane complexes LBHCl ( 1 ) and L′BHCl ( 2 ), and the reaction of L′H with BH₃ ? Me₂S gave a dihydridoborane complex L′BH₂ ( 3 ) (LH=[{(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H and L′H=[{(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)P(Ph₂)}₂N]H). Furthermore, abstraction of a hydride ion from L′BH₂ ( 3 ) and LBH₂ ( 4 ) mediated by Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ or the weakly coordinating ion pair [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] smoothly yielded a series of borenium hydride cations: [L′BH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 5 ), [L′BH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 6 ), [LBH]⁺[HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? ( 7 ), and [LBH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 8 ). Synthesis of a chloroborenium species [LBCl]⁺[BCl₄]^? ( 9 ) without involvement of a weakly coordinating anion was also demonstrated from a reaction of LBH₂ ( 4 ) with three equivalents of BCl₃. It is clear from this study that the sterically bulky strong donor bis(phosphinimino)amide ligand plays a crucial role in facilitating the synthesis and stabilization of these three‐coordinated cationic species of boron. Therefore, the present synthetic approach is not dependent on the requirement of weakly coordinating anions; even simple BCl₄^? can act as a counteranion with borenium cations. The high Lewis acidity of the boron atom in complex 8 enables the formation of an adduct with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), [LBH ? (DMAP)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? ( 10 ). The solid‐state structures of complexes 1 , 5 , and 9 were investigated by means of single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis.     

Darstellung und schwingungsspektroskopische Untersuchung von [H3B?Se?Se?BH3]2− und [H3B-μ2-Se(B2H5)]− Kristallstruktur und theoretische Untersuchung der Molekülstruktur von [H3B-μ2-Se(B2H5)]−

Synthesis and Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation of [H₃B? Se? Se? BH₃]^2? and [H₃B-μ₂-Se(B₂H₅)]^? Crystal Structure and Theoretical Investigation of the Molecular Structure of [H₃B-μ₂-Se(B₂H₅)]^? M₂[H₃B? Se? Se? BH₃] 1 is produced by the reaction between elemental selenium and MBH₄ (1 : 1) in triglyme (diglyme), under dehydrogenation. 1 reacts with an excess of B₂H₆ to give M[H₃B-μ₂-Se(B₂H₅)] 2 which is also formed in the reaction of THF · BH₃ with 1 . These reactions proceed under cleavage of the Se? Se bond and hydrogen evolution. [(C₆H₅)₄]Br reacts with Na · 2 to form [(C₆H₅)₄P] · 2 which crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4 (Nr. 82). An X-ray structure determination failed because of disordering of the cation and anion. ¹¹B, ⁷⁷Se NMR shifts and ¹J(¹¹B¹H) coupling constants as well as IR- and Raman spectroscopic investigations convey further structural information. Structural data of 2 have been calculated by SCF methods. The anion of 2 may be viewed either as an adduct of Se with B₃H₈^?, or as a bridge substituted selena derivative of B₂H₆.     

Fine Tuning of Metallaborane Geometries: Chemistry of Metallaboranes of Early Transition Metals Derived from Metal Halides and Monoborane Reagents

Reaction of [Cp_nMCl_4?x] (M=V: n=x=2; M=Nb: n=1, x=0) or [Cp*TaCl₄] (Cp=η⁵‐C₅H₅, Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄?thf] at ?70 °C followed by thermolysis at 85 °C in the presence of [BH₃?thf] yielded the hydrogen‐rich metallaboranes [(CpM)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 1 : M=V; 2 : M = Nb) and [(Cp*Ta)₂(B₂H₆)₂] ( 3 ) in modest to high yields. Complexes 1 and 3 are the first structurally characterized compounds with a metal–metal bond bridged by two hexahydroborate (B₂H₆) groups forming a symmetrical complex. Addition of [BH₃?thf] to 3 results in formation of a metallaborane [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈(μ‐BH₄)] ( 4 ) containing a tetrahydroborate ligand, [BH₄]^?, bound exo to the bicapped tetrahedral cage [(Cp*Ta)₂B₄H₈] by two Ta‐H‐B bridge bonds. The interesting structural feature of 4 is the coordination of the bridging tetrahydroborate group, which has two B? H bonds coordinated to the tantalum atoms. All these new metallaboranes have been characterized by mass, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the structural types were established unequivocally by crystallographic analysis of 1 – 4 .     

Host–guest‐like thi­amine–anion complexation in thia­minium bis­(tetra­fluoro­borate)

In the title compound, 3‐[(4‐amino‐2‐methyl‐5‐pyrimidin‐1‐io)methyl]‐5‐(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)‐4‐methyl­thia­zolium(2+) bis(tetra­fluoro­borate), C₁₂H₁₈N₄OS²⁺·2BF₄^?, the divalent thia­mine cation (in the F conformation) is associated with BF₄^? anions via two characteristic bridging interactions between the thia­zolium and pyrimidinium rings, i.e. C—H?BF₄^??pyrimidinium and N—H?BF₄^??thia­zolium interactions. Thi­amine mol­ecules are linked by N—H?O hydrogen bonds to form a helical chain structure.     

New Routes to a Series of σ‐Borane/Borate Complexes of Molybdenum and Ruthenium

A series of agostic σ‐borane/borate complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized from simple borane adducts. A room‐temperature reaction of [Cp*Mo(CO)₃Me], 1 with Li[BH₃(EPh)] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, E=S, Se, Te) yielded hydroborate complexes [Cp*Mo(CO)₂(μ‐H)BH₂EPh] in good yields. With 2‐mercapto‐benzothiazole, an N,S‐carbene‐anchored σ‐borate complex [Cp*Mo(CO)₂BH₃(1‐benzothiazol‐2‐ylidene)] ( 5 ) was isolated. Further, a transmetalation of the B‐agostic ruthenium complex [Cp*Ru(μ‐H)BHL₂] ( 6 , L=C₇H₄NS₂) with [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] affords a new B‐agostic complex, [Mn(CO)₃(μ‐H)BHL₂] ( 7 ) with the same structural motif in which the central metal is replaced by an isolobal and isoelectronic [Mn(CO)₃] unit. Natural‐bond‐orbital analyses of 5–7 indicate significant delocalization of the electron density from the filled σ_B?H orbital to the vacant metal orbital.     

“Spontaneous” Ambient Temperature Dehydrocoupling of Aromatic Amine–Boranes

The dehydrocoupling/dehydrogenation behavior of primary arylamine–borane adducts ArNH₂ ? BH₃ ( 3 a – c ; Ar= a : Ph, b : p‐MeOC₆H₄, c : p‐CF₃C₆H₄) has been studied in detail both in solution at ambient temperature as well as in the solid state at ambient or elevated temperatures. The presence of a metal catalyst was found to be unnecessary for the release of H₂. From reactions of 3 a , b in concentrated solutions in THF at 22 °C over 24 h cyclotriborazanes (ArNH‐BH₂)₃ ( 7 a , b ) were isolated as THF adducts, 7 a , b? THF, or solvent‐free 7 a , which could not be obtained via heating of 3 a – c in the melt. The μ‐(anilino)diborane [H₂B(μ‐PhNH)(μ‐H)BH₂] ( 4 a ) was observed in the reaction of 3 a with BH₃?THF and was characterized in situ. The reaction of 3 a with PhNH₂ ( 2 a ) was found to provide a new, convenient method for the preparation of dianilinoborane (PhNH)₂BH ( 5 a ), which has potential generality. This observation, together with further studies of reactions of 4 a , 5 a , and 7 a , b , provided insight into the mechanism of the catalyst‐free ambient temperature dehydrocoupling of 3 a – c in solution. For example, the reaction of 4 a with 5 a yields 6 a and 7 a . It was found that borazines (ArN‐BH)₃ ( 6 a – c ) are not simply formed via dehydrogenation of cyclotriborazanes 7 a – c in solution. The transformation of 7 a to 6 a is slowly induced by 5 a and proceeds via regeneration of 3 a . The adducts 3 a – c also underwent rapid dehydrocoupling in the solid state at elevated temperatures and even very slowly at ambient temperature. From aniline–borane derivative 3 c , the linear iminoborane oligomer (p‐CF₃C₆H₄)N[BH‐NH(p‐CF₃C₆H₄)]₂ ( 11 ) was obtained. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 3 a – c , 5 a , 7 a , 7 b? THF, and 11 are discussed.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 240 [1]. Zum reaktiven Verhalten von Diphosphan-boran,P2H4 · BH3

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 240. On the Reactive Behaviour of Diphosphane-borane, P₂H₄ · BH₃ Under mild temperature conditions, the thermal decomposition of diphosphane-borane ( 1 ) gives rise to the formation of phosphane-borane, PH₃ · BH₃, and triphosphane-2-borane, PH₂? PH(BH₃)? PH₂ ( 2 ). In the presence of diphosphane-1,2-bis(borane), triphosphane-1,3-bis(borane), BH₃? PH₂? PH? PH₂? BH₃ ( 3 ), is formed additionally. The thermolysis product at room temperature is a polymeric solid of varying composition which contains phosphorus, boron, and hydrogen. Compound 1 reacts with metalating agents such as n-BuLi, LiBH₄, and NaBH₄ to furnish the borane-trihydrogendiphosphide ion, [PH₂? PH? BH₃]^?, which immediately disproportionates to give the corresponding mono-and triphosphane derivatives. In the presence of an excess of THF-borane and in the case of a 1 : 1 molar ratio of 1 : NaBH₄, the disproportionation does not occur and the new diphosphide derivative sodium-1,1,2-tris(borane)-1,2,2-trihydrogendiphosphide, Na[(BH₃)₂PH? PH₂BH₃] ( 4 ) can be obtained. The action of additional NaBH₄ yields the diphosphide dianion with four coordinated BH₃ groups.     

Isolation and Characterization of Lewis Base Stabilized Monomeric Parent Stibanylboranes

The synthesis of the Lewis base stabilized monomeric parent compound of stibanylboranes, “H₂Sb? BH₂”, is reported. Through a salt metathesis route, the silyl‐substituted compounds (Me₃Si)₂Sb? BH₂?LB (LB=NMe₃, NHC^Me) were synthesized as representatives of derivatives with a Sb? B σ bond. Under very mild conditions, they could be transformed into the target compounds Me₃N?H₂B? HSb? BH₂?NMe₃ and H₂Sb? BH₂?NHC^Me, respectively. The products were characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. DFT calculations give further insight into the stability and bonding of these unique compounds.     

Dinitramidoborates: A Fascinating Case of Competing Oxygen and Nitrogen Donors and Tautomerism

Reactions of the BH₄⁻ anion with equimolar amounts of HN(NO₂)₂ or of BH₃⋅THF with K[N(NO₂)₂]⁻ produced a mono‐substituted [BH₃N(NO₂)₂]⁻ anion, which contains a B−N connected dinitramido ligand. The reaction of BH₄⁻ with two equivalents of HN(NO₂)₂ afforded the di‐substituted borate anion consisting of two isomers, one with both nitramido ligands attached to B through N and the other one with one ligand attached through N and the other one through O. The disubstituted dinitramidoborates are marginally stable under ambient conditions, and the isomer with two N‐connected ligands was characterized by its crystal structure. A tri‐substituted borate was tentatively identified by NMR in the reaction of BH₄⁻ with a large excess of HN(NO₂)₂. All of the anions are highly energetic. Theoretical calculations show that the energy differences between the B−N and B−O tautomers are small, explaining the formation of both.     

Metal‐Borohydride‐Modified Zr(BH4)4⋅8 NH3: Low‐Temperature Dehydrogenation Yielding Highly Pure Hydrogen

Due to its high hydrogen density (14.8 wt %) and low dehydrogenation peak temperature (130 °C), Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃ is considered to be one of the most promising hydrogen‐storage materials. To further decrease its dehydrogenation temperature and suppress its ammonia release, a strategy of introducing LiBH₄ and Mg(BH₄)₂ was applied to this system. Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–4 LiBH₄ and Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–2 Mg(BH₄)₂ composites showed main dehydrogenation peaks centered at 81 and 106 °C as well as high hydrogen purities of 99.3 and 99.8 mol % H₂, respectively. Isothermal measurements showed that 6.6 wt % (within 60 min) and 5.5 wt % (within 360 min) of hydrogen were released at 100 °C from Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–4 LiBH₄ and Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–2 Mg(BH₄)₂, respectively. The lower dehydrogenation temperatures and improved hydrogen purities could be attributed to the formation of the diammoniate of diborane for Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–4 LiBH₄, and the partial transfer of NH₃ groups from Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃ to Mg(BH₄)₂ for Zr(BH₄)₄ ? 8 NH₃–2 Mg(BH₄)₂, which result in balanced numbers of BH₄ and NH₃ groups and a more active H^δ+ ??? ^?δH interaction. These advanced dehydrogenation properties make these two composites promising candidates as hydrogen‐storage materials.     

Über Chalkogenolate. 113 Umsetzung von Chloramin mit Kohlenstoffdisulfid und mit Methylestern von Dithiocarbamidsäuren

On Chalcogenolates. 113. Reactions of Chloramine with Carbon Disulfide and with Methylesters of Dithiocarbamic Acids The reactions of chloramine with CS₂ and with H₂N? CS? SCH₃, CH₃? NH? CS? SCH₃, and (CH₃)₂N? CS? SCH₃ have been studied. The reaction with the methylester of dithiocarbamic acid gives the known dimethyl perthiocyanate and the reaction with the methylester of N-methyldithiocarbamic acid leads to CH₃S? CS? N(CH₃)? C(?NCH₃)? SCH₃. The latter compound has been characterized by means of electron absorption spectra, infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (¹H and ¹³C), and mass spectra.     

Über Chalkogenolate. 156. Reaktion von N-Methylformamid mit Kohlenstoffdisulfid 3. Alkylester der N-Methyl-N-formyldithiocarbamidsäure

On Chalcogenolates. 156. Reaction of N-Methyl Formamide with Carbon Disulfide. 3. Alkyl Esters of N-Methyl N-Formyl Dithiocarbamic Acid The hitherto unknown esters of N-methyl N-formyl dithiocarbamic acid H? CO? NCH₃? CS? SR, where R = CH₃ and C₂H₅, have been characterized by means of electron absorption, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C), and mass spectra.     

A Composite of Complex and Chemical Hydrides Yields the First Al‐Based Amidoborane with Improved Hydrogen Storage Properties

The first Al‐based amidoborane Na[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄] was obtained through a mechanochemical treatment of the NaAlH₄–4 AB (AB=NH₃BH₃) composite releasing 4.5 wt % of pure hydrogen. The same amidoborane was also produced upon heating the composite at 70 °C. The crystal structure of Na[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄], elucidated from synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and confirmed by DFT calculations, contains the previously unknown tetrahedral ion [Al(NH₂BH₃)₄]^?, with every NH₂BH₃^? ligand coordinated to aluminum through nitrogen atoms. Combination of complex and chemical hydrides in the same compound was possible due to both the lower stability of the Al?H bonds compared to the B?H ones in borohydride, and due to the strong Lewis acidity of Al³⁺. According to the thermogravimetric analysis–differential scanning calorimetry–mass spectrometry (TGA–DSC–MS) studies, Na[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄] releases in two steps 9 wt % of pure hydrogen. As a result of this decomposition, which was also supported by volumetric studies, the formation of NaBH₄ and amorphous product(s) of the surmised composition AlN₄B₃H_(0–3.6) were observed. Furthermore, volumetric experiments have also shown that the final residue can reversibly absorb about 27 % of the released hydrogen at 250 °C and p(H₂)=150 bar. Hydrogen re‐absorption does not regenerate neither Na[Al(NH₂BH₃)₄] nor starting materials, NaAlH₄ and AB, but rather occurs within amorphous product(s). Detailed studies of the latter one(s) can open an avenue for a new family of reversible hydrogen storage materials. Finally, the NaAlH₄–4 AB composite might become a starting point towards a new series of aluminum‐based tetraamidoboranes with improved hydrogen storage properties such as hydrogen storage density, hydrogen purity, and reversibility.     

Ligand‐Centred Reactivity of Bis(picolyl)amine Iridium: Sequential Deprotonation,Oxidation and Oxygenation of a “Non‐Innocent” Ligand

Treatment of [Ir(bpa)(cod)]⁺ complex [ 1 ]⁺ with a strong base (e.g., tBuO^?) led to unexpected double deprotonation to form the anionic [Ir(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? species [ 3 ]^?, via the mono‐deprotonated neutral amido complex [Ir(bpa?H)(cod)] as an isolable intermediate. A certain degree of aromaticity of the obtained metal–chelate ring may explain the favourable double deprotonation. The rhodium analogue [ 4 ]^? was prepared in situ. The new species [M(bpa?2H)(cod)]^? (M=Rh, Ir) are best described as two‐electron reduced analogues of the cationic imine complexes [M^I(cod)(Py‐CH₂‐N?CH‐Py)]⁺. One‐electron oxidation of [ 3 ]^? and [ 4 ]^? produced the ligand radical complexes [ 3 ]^. and [ 4 ]^.. Oxygenation of [ 3 ]^? with O₂ gave the neutral carboxamido complex [Ir(cod)(py‐CH₂‐N‐CO‐py)] via the ligand radical complex [ 3 ]^. as a detectable intermediate.     

Isotopic Exchange in Porous and Dense Magnesium Borohydride

Magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH₄)₂) is one of the most promising complex hydrides presently studied for energy‐related applications. Many of its properties depend on the stability of the BH₄^? anion. The BH₄^? stability was investigated with respect to H→D exchange. In situ Raman measurements on high‐surface‐area porous Mg(BH₄)₂ in 0.3 MPa D₂ have shown that the isotopic exchange at appreciable rates occurs already at 373 K. This is the lowest exchange temperature observed in stable borohydrides. Gas–solid isotopic exchange follows the BH₄^?+D^.→BH₃D^?+H^. mechanism at least at the initial reaction steps. Ex situ deuteration of porous Mg(BH₄)₂ and its dense‐phase polymorph indicates that the intrinsic porosity of the hydride is the key behind the high isotopic exchange rates. It implies that the solid‐state H(D) diffusion is considerably slower than the gas–solid H→D exchange reaction at the surface and it is a rate‐limiting steps for hydrogen desorption and absorption in Mg(BH₄)_2.     

Calcium–Amidoborane–Ammine Complexes: Thermal Decomposition of Model Systems

Hydrocarbon‐soluble model systems for the calcium–amidoborane–ammine complex Ca(NH₂BH₃)₂ ? (NH₃)₂ were prepared and structurally characterized. The following complexes were obtained by the reaction of RNH₂BH₃ (R=H, Me, iPr, DIPP; DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂) ? (NH₃)₂ (DIPP‐nacnac=DIPP? NC(Me)CHC(Me)N? DIPP): Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₂, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₃, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(Me)BH₃] ? (NH₃)₂, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(iPr)BH₃] ? (NH₃)₂, and Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)[NH(DIPP)BH₃] ? NH₃. The crystal structure of Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)₃ showed a NH₂BH₃^? unit that was fully embedded in a network of BH???HN interactions (range: 1.97(4)–2.39(4) Å) that were mainly found between NH₃ ligands and BH₃ groups. In addition, there were N? H???C interactions between NH₃ ligands and the central carbon atom in the ligand. Solutions of these calcium–amidoborane–ammine complexes in benzene were heated stepwise to 60 °C and thermally decomposed. The following main conclusions can be drawn: 1) Competing protonation of the DIPP‐nacnac anion by NH₃ was observed; 2) The NH₃ ligands were bound loosely to the Ca²⁺ ions and were partially eliminated upon heating. Crystal structures of [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃)]_∞, Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂BH₃) ? (NH₃) ? (THF), and [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac){NH(iPr)BH₃}]₂ were obtained. 3) Independent of the nature of the substituent R in NH(R)BH₃, the formation of H₂ was observed at around 50 °C. 4) In all cases, the complex [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂)]₂ was formed as a major product of thermal decomposition, and its dimeric nature was confirmed by single‐crystal analysis. We proposed that thermal decomposition of calcium–amidoborane–ammine complexes goes through an intermediate calcium–hydride–ammine complex which eliminates hydrogen and [Ca(DIPP‐nacnac)(NH₂)]₂. It is likely that the formation of metal amides is also an important reaction pathway for the decomposition of metal–amidoborane–ammine complexes in the solid state.     

Metal‐Free Addition/Head‐to‐Tail Polymerization of Transient Phosphinoboranes,RPH‐BH2: A Route to Poly(alkylphosphinoboranes)

Mild thermolysis of Lewis base stabilized phosphinoborane monomers R¹R²P? BH₂?NMe₃ (R¹,R²=H, Ph, or tBu/H) at room temperature to 100 °C provides a convenient new route to oligo‐ and polyphosphinoboranes [R¹R²P‐BH₂]_n. The polymerization appears to proceed via the addition/head‐to‐tail polymerization of short‐lived free phosphinoborane monomers, R¹R²P‐BH₂. This method offers access to high molar mass materials, as exemplified by poly(tert‐butylphosphinoborane), that are currently inaccessible using other routes (e.g. catalytic dehydrocoupling).