UV laser photochemistry and diborane at 193 nm: Quantum yield for BH3 production

The quantum yield ø_BH3 for BH₃ production from ArF-laser-excited B₂H₆ was determined to be 2.00 ± 0.25 by trapping with PF₃. The former postulate of BH₃ as a chain carrier in ArF-laser-induced B₂H₆-D₂ exchange is confirmed.     

Reactions of diborane with aromatic heterocycles—21: Reactions with nitrogen-containing heterocycles related to pyridine

The reactions of solutions of B₂H₆ in ethers with a variety of aromatic heterocycles containing one or more six-membered rings with only one nitrogen per ring have been examined. Quinoline and isoquinoline form monoborane adducts which hydroborate in the presence of an excess of B₂H₆. Protonolysis gives the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-compounds in both cases. N-Methylquinolinium and N-methylisoquinolinium iodides both hydroborate. Hydroboration and halogen loss occur with 2-, 3- or 4-haloquinolines (chlorine or bromine). Prior to hydroboration 8-hydroxyquinoline forms a borane adduct which rapidly eliminates one equivalent of hydrogen in a probable intramolecular ring closure. Sodium 8-hydroxyquinolinate combines with B₂H₆ in an unsymmetrical cleavage reaction to form B₂H₇^? or BH₄^?, and the same ring closed product formed by 8-hydroxyquinoline. Phenanthridine and N-methylphenanthridinium iodide both readily undergo hydroboration. The products formed by the latter with B₂H₆ are 5-methyl-5,6-dihydrophenanthridine-borane and an iodoborane etherate. 1,8-Naphthyridine forms a transient borane complex which rapidly undergoes hydroboration; protonolysis gives 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-l,8-naphthyridine. 2,2′-Bipyridyl undergoes a complex reaction with one equivalent of BH₃ giving a mixture of bpy·2BH₃ and hydroborated products, but 4,4′-bipyridyl does not appear to hydroborate. 1,10- and 1,7-Phenanthroline both hydroborate giving a mixture of reduced products on protonolysis. Pyridine-borane and 2-phenylpyridine-borane both decompose in refluxing diglyme, but protonolysis gives no reduced products in either case.     

Synthesis of Ammonia Borane Nanoparticles and the Diammoniate of Diborane by Direct Combination of Diborane and Ammonia

Pure nanoparticle ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃, AB) was first prepared through a solvent‐free, ambient‐temperature gas‐phase combination of B₂H₆ with NH₃. The prepared AB nanoparticle exhibits improved dehydrogenation behavior giving 13.6 wt. % H₂ at the temperature range of 80–175 °C without severe foaming. Ammonia diborane (NH₃BH₂(μ‐H)BH₃, AaDB) is proposed as the intermediate in the reaction of B₂H₆ with NH₃ based on theoretical studies. This method can also be used to prepare pure diammoniate of diborane ([H₂B(NH₃)₂][BH₄], DADB) by adjusting the ratio and concentration of B₂H₆ to NH₃.     

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.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 239 [1]. Reaktion von Diphosphan(4) mit Diboran(6) und mit THF-Boran: Bildung von Diphosphan-boran,P2H4 · BH3, und Diphosphan-1,2-bis(boran), BH3 · P2H4 · BH3

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 239. On the Reaction of Diphosphane(4) with Diborane(6) and with THF-Borane: Formation of Diphosphane-borane, P₂H₄ · BH₃, and Diphosphane-1,2-bis(borane), BH₃ · P₂H₄ · BH₃ Diphosphane(4) always reacts with diborane(6) in the temperature range of ?118 to ?78°C, to furnish a mixture of diphosphane-borane, P₂H₄ · BH₃ ( 1 ), and diphosphane-1,2-bis(borane), BH₃ · P₂H₄ · BH₃ ( 2 ), in addition to small amounts of triphosphane-1,3-bis(borane), BH₃ · P₃H₅ · BH₃, and phosphane-borane, BH₃ · PH₃, irrespective of the molar ratios of the reactants employed. The formation of the 1 : 1 adduct P₂H₄ · B₂H₆ reported in the literature [4] could not be confirmed. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy which revealed the complete, homolytic cleavage of diborane(6). As a result of the bonding of one BH₃ group to diphosphane(4), the Lewis basicity of the other PH₂ group is markedly reduced. Similar mixtures of products are obtained when the borane adduct THF · BH₃ is employed in an analogous reaction. In the case of a 1 : 1 molar ratio of P₂H₄ : THF · BH₃ at ?78°C, the reaction furnishes compound 1 exclusively. This product can be isolated in the pure state and is found to be appreciably more stable than diphosphane(4).     

Calcium-mediated hydroboration of alkenes: “Trojan horse” or “true” catalysis?

The hydroboration of 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) with catecholborane (HBcat) proceeds at 100 °C. For conversion at room temperature three different organocalcium catalysts have been investigated: the calcium hydride complex [DIPPnacnacCaH·(THF)]₂ (1, DIPPnacnac = CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃N)}₂), Ca[2-Me₂N-α-Me₃Si-benzyl)₂·(THF)₂ (2) and DIPPnacnacCa(H-BBN)·(THF) (3, BBN = 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1.]nonane). Although up to 96% conversion of DPE is found, the product of the reaction is not the expected Ph₂CHCH₂Bcat but (Ph₂CHCH₂)₃B is formed instead. Organocalcium compounds catalyze the decomposition of HBcat to B₂(cat)₃ and BH₃ (or B₂H₆) and the latter is involved in hydroboration of DPE. The calcium-catalyzed decomposition of HBcat was investigated with ¹¹B NMR and the signals were assigned to the following species: B₂(cat)₃, B(cat)₂^?, HBcat, BH₃(THF), BH₄^? and B₂H₇^?. A tentative mechanism for the formation of these species was proposed. The intermediate DIPPnacnacCa(BH₄)·(THF)₂ (5) was independently prepared by reaction of 1 and BH₃(Me₂S) and was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Stoichiometric reaction of 1 with pinacolborane (HBpin) gave a trimeric complex [DIPPnacnacCa(H₂Bpin)]₃ (6) which was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. This complex does not react with DPE, also not at elevated temperatures. The possible equilibrium between 6 and 1/HBpin is therefore fully at the side of 6. As 6 is unstable in the presence of HBpin, no further catalytic conversions have been investigated.     

Reaction of a ruthenium B-carboranyl hydride complex and BH3(SMe2): Selective formation of a pincer-supported metallaborane LRu(B3H8)

Reaction of a boryl hydride pincer complex (POBOP)Ru(H)(PPh₃) (POBOP?=?1,7-OP(i-Pr)₂-m-2-carboranyl) and BH₃(SMe₂) at 70?°C led to the selective formation of a pincer-supported metallaborane (POBOP)Ru(B₃H₈). Single crystal structure of (POBOP)Ru(B₃H₈) was determined. This complex features coordination of the carborane cluster through adjacent boryl and borane groups that impose significantly different trans-influence on the coordinated B₃H₈ fragment.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of N-B-PTA(BH3): X-ray crystal structures of [CpRhCl2{N-B}-PTA(BH3)] and [CpRh{N-B-PTA(BH3)}(η-CH2 = CHPh)]

The reaction between 1-boranyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane ligand N-B-PTA(BH₃) and [Cp^∗RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ affords [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}Cl₂] (3) or [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}₂Cl]Cl (5) containing one or two P-bonded boronated PTA ligands. The hydride [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}H₂] (8) was also obtained by reaction of 3 with NaBH₄ and alternatively by direct hydroboration of [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)Cl₂] with excess NaBH₄. Moderately slow hydrolysis of the N-boranyl rhodium complexes affords dihydrogen, H₃BO₃ and the corresponding PTA derivatives, including the water-soluble dihydride [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)H₂] (9). Finally, the reaction of 8 with electron poor alkynes gives the alkene complexes [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}(η²-CH₂ = CHR)] (R = Ph, 10; C(O)OEt, 11) as a mixture of rotamers η²-coordinated to rhodium without affecting the N-BH₃ moiety. The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 10 were also obtained and are here discussed.     

Interaction of tetrabutylammonium octahydrotriborate with aluminum chloride. A new method for the preparation of tetraborane(10)

Interaction of Bu₄NB₃H₈ with AlCl₃ at 45–50 °C results in the formation of BH₄ ^– and unstable borane B₂H₄, which is converted into a mixture of B₄H₁₀, B₅H₉, and B₂H₆. This reaction can be used for the preparation of tetraborane(10).     

Boron Hydrogen Compounds: Hydrogen Storage and Battery Applications

About 25 years ago, Bogdanovic and Schwickardi (B. Bogdanovic, M. Schwickardi: J. Alloys Compd. 1–9, 253 (1997) discovered the catalyzed release of hydrogen from NaAlH₄. This discovery stimulated a vast research effort on light hydrides as hydrogen storage materials, in particular boron hydrogen compounds. Mg(BH₄)₂, with a hydrogen content of 14.9 wt %, has been extensively studied, and recent results shed new light on intermediate species formed during dehydrogenation. The chemistry of B₃H₈⁻, which is an important intermediate between BH₄⁻ and B₁₂H₁₂²⁻, is presented in detail. The discovery of high ionic conductivity in the high-temperature phases of LiBH₄ and Na₂B₁₂H₁₂ opened a new research direction. The high chemical and electrochemical stability of closo-hydroborates has stimulated new research for their applications in batteries. Very recently, an all-solid-state 4 V Na battery prototype using a Na₄(CB₁₁H₁₂)₂(B₁₂H₁₂) solid electrolyte has been demonstrated. In this review, we present the current knowledge of possible reaction pathways involved in the successive hydrogen release reactions from BH₄⁻ to B₁₂H₁₂²⁻, and a discussion of relevant necessary properties for high-ionic-conduction materials.     

[Na · Triglyme]2[S(BH3)4]: Ein Salz des neuen Anions Tetrakis(boran)sulfat(2—) Kristallstruktur und theoretische Untersuchung der Molekülstruktur

[Na · Triglyme]₂[S(BH₃)₄]: a Salt of the New Anion Tetrakis(borane)sulfate(2? ). Crystal Structure and Theoretical Investigation of the Structure Na[H₃B-m?₂-S(B₂H₅)] 1 is produced by the reaction between NaSH and THF · BH₃, under dehydrogenation. 1 is also formed as the first ¹¹B-NMR-spectroscopically detectable reaction product by the reaction between anhydrous Na₂S and THF · BH₃. Adducts of BH₃ with the S^2? ion are not detectable in THF. The anion [S(BH₃)₄]^2? can however be obtained, by the addition of NaBH₄ to 1 in diglyme or triglyme respectively: [Na — Triglyme]₂[S(BH₃)₄] 2. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (Nr. 14). Structural data of 1 and 2 have been calculated by SCF methods. The anion of 2 may be viewed either as an adduct of B₂H₆ with S^2?, or as a bridge substituted thia derivative of B₂H₇^?; furthermore the anion of 2 is isoelectronic and isostructural with the SO ion.     

Marron-weare variational computation of energy differences for motions of C2H6, B2H6, CH3CH inf2 sup+ , and CH3BH2

The passage of D_3dC₂H₆ and B2H6 toward a D₂ h bridged structure, and the motion of a methyl proton maintaining C symmetry in C₂H _inf5 ^sup+ and CH₃BH₂ are described by integral Hellmann-Feynman computations in a Frost floating spherical Gaussian basis. Marron and Weare's variational corrections to the integral Hellmann-Feynman formula forAE between statesA andB are evaluated with variational functions of the form η(ψ_A/S_AB-ψ_B)) used to refine the stateB. An analogous function ξ(ψ_B/S_AB-ψ_A) refines state A. Both η and ξ are chosen variationally to minimize Marron and Weare's functional. No obvious advantage of the variational method became apparent in this simple application.     

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 .     

Anionic Chains of Parent Pnictogenylboranes

We report on the synthesis and structural characterization of unprecedented anionic parent compounds of mixed Group 13/15 elements. The reactions of the pnictogenylboranes H₂E‐BH₂?NMe₃ ( 1 a =P, 1 b =As) with phosphorus and arsenic centered nucleophiles of the type [EH₂]^? (E=P, As) lead to the formation of compounds of the type [H₂E‐BH₂‐E′H₂]^? ( 2 : E=E′=P; 3 : E=E′=As; 4 : E=P, E′=As) containing anionic pnictogen–boron chain‐like units. Furthermore, a longer 5‐membered chain species [H₂As‐BH₂‐PH₂‐BH₂‐AsH₂]^? ( 5 ) and a cyclic compound [NHC^dipp‐H₂B‐PH₂‐BH₂‐NHC^dipp]⁺[P₅B₅H₁₉]^? ( 6 ) containing a n‐butylcyclohexane‐like anion were obtained. All the compounds have been characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. DFT calculations elucidate their high thermodynamic stability, the charge distribution, and give insight into the reaction pathway.     

ChemInform Abstract: Bonding in Clusters. Part 9. The closo-nido Relationship; an MNDO Computational Study.

On the basis of the MNDO results, the role of the four bridging hydrogens in the cluster bonding of B₅H₉ is compared with that of S in SB₅H₅, CH- in (CB₅H₆)-, and BH₂^- in (B₆H₆)₂-.     

The influence of electron correlation on reaction energies. The dimerization energies of BH3 and LiH

Results of rigorous computations employing extended Gaussian-type basis sets are reported for BH₃, B₂H₆, LiH, and Li₂H₂ in their respective equilibrium geometries. The dimerization energy of BH₃ is calculated as −20.7 kcal/mol within the Hartree-Fock approximation and as −36.6 kcal/mol if electron correlation is included. The corresponding results for the dimerization of LiH are −47.3 kcal/mol and −48.3 kcal/mol. Partitioning of the correlation energy contributions allows to attribute the effect of electron correlation to the increase of next neighbour bond interactions on the dimerization of BH₃ and LiH. The difficulties of accurate computations of reaction energies are discussed in detail.     

Dipole‐bound anions supported by charge–transfer interaction: Anionic states of HnF3−nN → BH3 and H3N → BHnF3−n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3)

The possibility of electron binding to five molecules (i.e., F₃N → BH₃, H₂FN → BH₃, HF₂N → BH₃, H₃N → BH₂F, H₃N → BHF₂) was studied at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and noniterative triple excitations and compared to earlier results for H₃N → BH₃ and H₃N → BF₃. All these neutral complexes involve dative bonds that are responsible for significant polarization of these species that generates large dipole moments. As a consequence, all of the neutral systems studied, except F₃N → BH₃, support electronically stable dipole‐bound anionic states whose calculated vertical electron detachment energies are 648 cm^?1 ([H₂FN → BH₃]^?), 234 cm^?1 ([HF₂N → BH₃]^?), 1207 cm^?1 ([H₃N → BH₂F]^?), and 1484 cm^?1 ([H₃N → BHF₂]^?). In addition, we present numerical results for a model designed to mimic charge–transfer (CT) and show that the electron binding energy correlates with the magnitude of the charge flow in the CT complex. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

Reactions of small boranes with ruthenium phosphine hydrides: Oligomerisation of monoborane-tetrahydrofuran to a nido-hexaruthenaborane

Reaction of [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] with BH₃ · thf at room temperature gives borane oligomerisation with the formation of the 6-vertex metallaborane nido-2-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(H)B₅H₁₀] (1). This cluster is also formed by reaction of [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] with nido-B₅H₉. Compound (1) is readily deprotonated by KH in thf at the unique basal B-H-B bridge to give (2). In contrast to [Ru(PPh₃)₄H₂] reaction of [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] with BH₃ · thf gives initially the known borohydride [Ru(PMe₃)₃(H)(η²-BH₄)] which reacts with excess BH₃ · thf to give the 5-vertex metallaborane nido-2-[Ru(PMe₃)₃B₄H₈] (3). Reaction of [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] with nido-B₅H₉ also gives (3) and nido-2-[Ru(PMe₃)₃B₉H₁₃] (4). [cis-Ru(PMe₃)₄H₂] is conveniently prepared in high yield in a one-pot synthesis by the sodium amalgam reduction of RuCl₃ · 3H₂O in thf with excess PMe₃ under dinitrogen.     

Microwave spectrum of aminoborane,BH2NH2

The unstable species aminoborane, BH₂NH₂, has been identified as a reaction product of ammonia with diborane by microwave spectroscopy. The rotational constants determined are A = 138212 ± 4 MHz, B = 27487.83 ± 0.10 MHz and C = 22878.44 ± 0.11 MHz for ¹¹BH₂NH₂ and A = 138199 ± 6 MHz, B = 28420.36 ± 0.11 MHz and C = 23520.78 ± 0.12 MHz for ¹⁰BH₂NH₂. The dipole moment is 1.844 ± 0.015 D.     

Synthesis and some properties of Nd(B11H14)3 · 4Dg (Dg is diglyme)

The reaction of Nd(BH₄)₃ · 3THF with decaborane-14 in diglyme at 85–90°C yields Nd(B₁₁H₁₄)₃ · 4Dg. The duration of the reaction is 20 h. The molar ratio of Nd(BH₄)₃ · 3THF to B₁₀H₁₄ is is 1 :3.5. The product is precipitated with heptane from a diglyme solution. The yield is 70%. In an inert atmosphere, Nd(B₁₁H₁₄)₃ · 4Dg is stable to 150°C and decomposes with an exotherm at 160–190°C. The IR spectrum of Nd(B₁₁H₁₄)₃ · 4Dg in the region of B-H stretching vibrations contains an intense band at 2530 cm^?1. The ¹¹B {¹H} NMR spectra of the synthesized compound in diglyme solutions contain signals of the tetradecahydro-nido-undecaborate anion B₁₁H ₁₄ ^? (δ = -14.0, -15.6, and -16.5 ppm).