Azidoborolate anions and azidoborole adducts: isolable forms of an unstable borole azide.

Boroles are well known to undergo ring expansion reactions with organic azides to yield 1,2-azaborinines. A synthon featuring both azide and borole moieties within the same molecule, 1-azido-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylborole, was found to be much less stable than the related, previously-reported azidoborafluorene and decomposed to intractable mixtures well below room temperature. It could, however, be trapped at -75 °C through the formation of Lewis base adducts, even in the form of the "azide-stabilized azidoborole" complex anion diazidoborolate. DFT calculations provide a rationale for the low stability of the azidoborole under study.

Simple solution-phase syntheses of tetrahalodiboranes(4) and their labile dimethylsulfide adducts.

Convenient solution-phase syntheses of tetrahalodiboranes(4) B2F4, B2Cl4 and B2I4 are presented herein from common precursor B2Br4. In addition, the dimethylsulfide adducts B2Cl4(SMe2)2 and B2Br4(SMe2)2 are conveniently prepared in one-step gram and multigram scale syntheses from the commercially-available starting material B2(NMe2)4. The results provide simple access to the full range of tetrahalodiboranes(4) for the exploration of their untapped synthetic potential.

Synthesis of Functionalized 1,4-Azaborinines by the Cyclization of Di-tert-butyliminoborane and Alkynes.

Di-tert-butyliminoborane is found to be a very useful synthon for the synthesis of a variety of functionalized 1,4-azaborinines by the Rh-mediated cyclization of iminoboranes with alkynes. The reactions proceed via [2 + 2] cycloaddition of iminoboranes and alkynes in the presence of [RhCl(PiPr3)2]2, which gives a rhodium η(4)-1,2-azaborete complex that yields 1,4-azaborinines upon reaction with acetylene. This reaction is compatible with substrates containing more than one alkynyl unit, cleanly affording compounds containing multiple 1,4-azaborinines. The substitution of terminal alkynes for acetylene also led to 1,4-azaborinines, enabling ring substitution at a predetermined location. We report the first general synthesis of this new methodology, which provides highly regioselective access to valuable 1,4-azaborinines in moderate yields. A mechanistic rationale for this reaction is supported by DFT calculations, which show the observed regioselectivity to arise from steric effects in the B-C bond coupling en route to the rhodium η(4)-1,2-azaborete complex and the selective oxidative cleavage of the B-N bond of the 1,2-azaborete ligand in its subsequent reaction with acetylene.

Ansa-Complexes of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H5 )(η(6) -C6 H6 )]: Preparation, Characterization, and Reactivity of [n]Manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2, 3).

We report the synthesis of [n]manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2) featuring boron, silicon, germanium, and tin as ansa-bridging elements. Their preparation was achieved by salt-elimination reactions of the dilithiated precursor [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 Li)(η(6) -C6 H5 Li)]⋅pmdta (pmdta=N,N,N',N',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) with corresponding element dichlorides. Besides characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, the identity of two single-atom-bridged derivatives, [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] and [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SiPh2 ], could also be determined by X-ray structural analysis. We investigated for the first time the reactivity of these ansa-cyclopentadienyl-benzene manganese compounds. The reaction of the distannyl-bridged complex [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )Sn2 tBu4 ] with elemental sulfur was shown to proceed through the expected oxidative addition of the Sn-Sn bond to give a triatomic ansa-bridge. The investigation of the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) capability of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] with [Pt(PEt3 )3 ] showed that an unexpected, unselective insertion into the Cipso -Sn bonds of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] had occurred.

Boron as a powerful reductant: synthesis of a stable boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair.

Despite the fundamental importance of radical-anion radical-cation pairs in single-electron transfer (SET) reactions, such species are still very rare and transient in nature. Since diborenes have highly electron-rich BB double bonds, which makes them strong neutral reductants, we envisaged a possible realization of a boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair by SET from a diborene to a borole species, which are known to form stable radical anions upon one-electron reduction. However, since the reduction potentials of all know diborenes (E1/2 =-1.05/-1.55 V) were not sufficiently negative to reduce MesBC4 Ph4 (E1/2 =-1.69 V), a suitable diborene, IiPr⋅(iPr)BB(iPr)⋅IiPr, was tailor-made to comply with these requirements. With a halfwave potential of E1/2 =-1.95 V, this diborene ranks amongst the most powerful neutral organic reductants known and readily reacted with MesBC4 Ph4 by SET to afford a stable boron-centered radical-anion radical-cation pair.

A facile and selective route to remarkably inert monocyclic NHC-stabilized boriranes.

Herein we report a facile and selective synthetic route to monocyclic NHC-stabilized boriranes. We have succeeded in obtaining two highly stable new boriranes through salt elimination of NHC-stabilized dichloroboranes with the dianion of trans-stilbene, Na2[C14H12]. One borirane was observed to undergo reaction with [Pt(PEt3)3], in which the Pt(0) center oxidatively adds a backbone C-H bond of the NHC, leading to the isolation of the Pt(II) complex trans-[(Et3P)2PtH{C=CH(NMe)2C·BPh(C14H12)}]. The remarkable inertness of the NHC-boriranes suggests a strong stabilising effect of quaternization of the boron atom.

A theoretical study of the aromaticity in neutral and anionic borole compounds.

In this contribution, we have evaluated the (anti)aromatic character of thirty-four different borole compounds in their neutral and reduced states based on two aromaticity indices, namely nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and multicenter indices (MCI), calculated at the PBE0/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Both indices corroborate the notion that neutral borole compounds are antiaromatic and become increasingly aromatic upon addition of electrons. Effects of the ring substituents on the degree of (anti)aromaticity are discussed together with differences in the two theoretical methods, which are on the one hand based on magnetic (NICS) and on the other hand based on electronic criteria (MCI).

Unexpected cluster formation upon hydroboration of a neutral diborene with 9-BBN.

The reaction of the neutral, base-stabilised diborenes 1a,b with the well-known hydroboration reagent 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) is presented. This leads to the formation of a nonclassical structural motif with a B3 core concomitant with the cleavage of a B-C bond. This compound has been characterised in solution and by X-ray crystallography. According to Wade's rules these rare B3 clusters follow the arachno classification (2n + 6 electrons) and represent doubly base-stabilised B3H5 analogues.

Antiaromaticity to aromaticity: from boroles to 1,2-azaborinines by ring expansion with azides.

We have exploited the reactivity of antiaromatic boroles, gaining access to aryl-substituted monocyclic 1,2-azaborinines. The observed ring-expansion reaction of inherently electron-deficient boroles with organometallic and organic azides is demonstrated for representative examples. This substance class is expected to provide a new avenue into 1,2-azaborinine chemistry, especially in the area of functional organoboron materials. Our results are based on NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray crystallography and provide a virtually quantitative approach that also offers numerous points of variation.

Reversible photochemical and thermal isomerization of azaboratabisnorcaradiene to azaborabenzotropilidene.

Two new tricyclic 1,2-azaboratabisnorcaradiene molecules (1 b and 2 b) generated through the photoisomerization of N-methyl-2-phenylimidazolyl-chelated dimesitylboranes (1 a and 2 a) have been found to undergo unusual photoisomerization, producing the first examples of 1,2-azaborabenzotropilidenes (1 c and 2 c), accompanied by a distinct color change, upon irradiation at 350 nm. Compounds 1 c and 2 c contain a conjugated alkylideneborane unit and can be fully reverted back to 1 b and 2 b, and subsequently to 1 a and 2 a upon heating. The mechanistic pathway of the new isomerism has been established to involve "walk" rearrangements by DFT computational studies.

Diborabutatriene: an electron-deficient cumulene.

The complexation of two equivalents of a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) to tetrabromodiborane, followed by reduction with four equivalents of sodium naphthalide, led to the formation of the CAAC-stabilized linear diboracumulene (CAAC)2B2. The capacity of the CAAC ligand to facilitate B2 →CAAC donation of π-electron density resulted in important differences between this species and a previously reported complex featuring a B≡B triple bond stabilized by cyclic di(amino)carbenes, including a longer B-B bond and shorter B-C bonds. Frontier orbital analysis indicated sharing of valence electrons across the entire linear C-B-B-C unit in (CAAC)2B2, which is supported by natural population analysis and cyclic voltammetry.

Evidence for extensive single-electron-transfer chemistry in boryl anions: isolation and reactivity of a neutral borole radical.

Despite the synthesis of a boryl anion by Yamashita et al. in 2006, compounds that show boron-centered nucleophilicity are still rare and sought-after synthetic goals. A number of such boryl anions have since been prepared, two of which were reported to react with methyl iodide in apparent nucleophilic substitution reactions. One of these, a borolyl anion based on the borole framework, has now been found to display single-electron-transfer (SET) reactivity in its reaction with triorganotetrel halides, which was confirmed by the isolation of the first neutral borole-based radical. The radical was characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and EPR spectroscopy, and has implications for the understanding of boron-based nucleophilic behavior and the emergent role of boron radicals in synthesis. This radical reactivity was also exploited in the synthesis of compounds with rare B-Sn and B-Pb bonds, the latter of which was the first isolated and structurally characterized compound with a "noncluster" B-Pb bond.

Direct hydroboration of B=B bonds: a mild strategy for the proliferation of B-B bonds.

Synthetic access to electron-precise boron chains is hampered by the preferential formation of nonclassical structures. The few existing strategies for this involve either strongly reducing reagents or transition-metal catalysts, both with distinct disadvantages. The synthesis of new furyl- and thienyl-substituted diborenes is presented, along with their direct hydroboration with catecholborane (CatBH) to form a new electron-precise B-B bond and a B3 chain. The reaction is diastereoselective and proceeds under mild conditions without the use of strong reducing agents or transition-metal catalysts commonly used in B-B coupling reactions.

Diverse reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes with an alkynylborane and isolation of a reactive zwitterionic borataallene.

Ethynyldimesitylborane (1) is synthesised via salt elimination and its reactivity towards NHCs is studied. Depending on their size, NHCs attack either at the boron atom or at the ß-alkynyl carbon atom. Steric control over the reaction was probed by reactions with N-heterocyclic carbenes yielding a carbene-borane adduct (2), a 1-boraindane (3), and the first structurally characterised borataallene (4).

Hydridoborylene complexes and di-, tri-, and tetranuclear borido complexes with hydride ligands.

Mono- and dinuclear hydridoborylene complexes were prepared by intermetallic borylene transfer from Group VI borylene or metalloborylene reagents. The hydride and borylene ligands were found to interact with each other significantly, although the boron ligand retains much of its former borylene character. Zero-valent platinum fragments were successively added to the dinuclear hydridoborylene complexes, resulting in tri- and tetranuclear borido complexes, in which the B-H interaction has been lost, and the hydride ligands now bridge two metal centers. The complexes were studied spectroscopically, crystallographically, and by DFT methods, and the unusual bonding situation in the M-B-H triangles of hydridoborylene complexes were evaluated.

Multiple reduction of 2,5-bis(borolyl)thiophene: isolation of a negative bipolaron by comproportionation.

The 2,5-bis(borolyl)thiophene 2, a conjugated acceptor-π-acceptor system, can be reduced to the monoradical anion [2](.-) , the dianion [2](2-) , and the tetraanion [2](4-) . The dianion [2](2-) was also prepared by a comproportionation reaction and features an absorption maximum in the near-IR region (λmax =800 nm), which is characteristic of a bipolaron with a quinoidal structure.

Synthesis of zwitterionic cobaltocenium borate and borata-alkene derivatives from a borole-radical anion.

Chemical single-electron reduction of 1-mesityl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylborole (3) gave a stable radical anion [CoCp*2 ][3] as shown in earlier investigations. Herein, we present the reaction of [CoCp*2 ][3] with the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl radical (TEMPO), a common radical trap. Instead of radical recombination, the reaction proceeds through a redox pathway involving oxidation of the borole radical anion combined with reduction of TEMPO. This electron-transfer process is accompanied by a deprotonation reaction of the cobaltocenium counterion by the base TEMPO(-) to give TEMPO-H and a neutral cobalt(I) fulvene complex (7). The latter was not observed directly during the reaction, because it instantaneously reacts as a nucleophile attacking at the boron center of the in situ generated borole 3 to give the borate 6. However, 7 was synthesized independently by deprotonation of [CoCp*2 ][PF6 ]. In addition, the obtained zwitterionic cobaltocenium borate 6 undergoes a photolytic rearrangement to form the borata-alkene derivative 9 that thermally transforms to the chiral cobaltocenium borate 12. Our investigations are based on spectroscopic evidence, X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, as well as DFT calculations.

Reductive borylene-CO coupling with a bulky arylborylene complex.

Partial metal-boron bond cleavage and coupling of a borylene with two CO ligands was observed upon reduction of a new bulky arylborylene complex. Both the borylene precursor and dianionic product were structurally and spectroscopically characterized. In contrast, reduction of an aminoborylene complex led to complete loss of the borylene ligand and classical Hieber reduction. A rationale for these differences based on DFT methods is presented.

1-Heteroaromatic-substituted tetraphenylboroles: π-π interactions between aromatic and antiaromatic rings through a B-C bond.

A series of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylboroles substituted with different aromatic heterocycles (thiophene, furan, pyrrole, and dithiophene) in the 1-position were synthesized and characterized by means of NMR, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. In contrast to known 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylboroles, X-ray diffraction revealed a nearly coplanar arrangement of the aromatic heterocycles and the antiaromatic borole scaffold as a result of π-conjugation, which could be substantiated by DFT calculations. Furthermore, the 2,2'-dithiophene-bridged bisborole (14) exhibits a large bathochromic shift in the absorption spectrum, demonstrating the exceptional Lewis acidity of the nonannulated borolyl moiety.

Oligo(borolyl)benzenes--synthesis and properties.

Herein, we report the synthesis of boroles that are linked by a conjugated phenylene spacer. The characterization of these compounds was completed by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as X-ray crystal diffraction. Furthermore, the coordination behavior of these oligoboroles towards five electronically and sterically disparate pyridine derivatives was studied and revealed fundamental differences in the properties of the resulting adducts. The experimental results were supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations that showed a charge-transfer effect upon formation of the pyridine-4-carbonitrile adduct. By chemical reduction of a tris(borolyl)-substituted benzene derivative, a hexaanion was isolated as a result of a two-electron reduction of each borolyl moiety. The interaction of the borolyl units through the aryl spacer, and the possible increase of the Lewis acidity due to the conjugation of the borolyl moieties, were investigated by base transfer reactions.