Modelling fundamental arene-borane contacts: spontaneous formation of a dibromoborenium cation driven by interaction between a borane Lewis acid and an arene π system.

Reaction of 2,6-dimesityl pyridine (L(py)) with BBr(3) leads to the spontaneous formation of the trigonal dibromoborenium cation [L(py)·BBr(2)](+)via bromide ejection. Systematic structural and computational studies, and the reactivity displayed by a closely related N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donor, reveal the role played by arene-borane interactions in this chemistry. [L(py)·BBr(2)](+) features a structurally characterized (albeit weak) electrostatic interaction between the borane Lewis acid and flanking arene π systems.

Borane to boryl hydride to borylene dihydride: explicit demonstration of boron-to-metal α-hydride migration in aminoborane activation.

The sequence of fundamental steps implicit in the conversion of a dihydroborane to a metal borylene complex have been elucidated for an [Ir(PMe(3))(3)] system. B-H oxidative addition has been applied for the first time to an aminodihydroborane, H(2)BNR(2), leading to the generation of a rare example of a primary boryl complex, L(n)(H)M{B(H)NR(2)}; subsequent conversion to a borylene dihydride proceeds via a novel B-to-M α-hydride migration. The latter step is unprecedented for group 13 ligand systems, and is remarkable in offering α- substituent migration from a Lewis acidic center as a route to a two-coordinate ligand system.

Probing the intrinisic structure and dynamics of aminoborane coordination at late transition metal centers: mono(σ-BH) binding in [CpRu(PR3)2(H2BNCy2)]+.

Aminoboranes, H(2)BNRR', represent the monomeric building blocks from which novel polymeric materials can be constructed via metal-mediated processes. The fundamental capabilities of these compounds to interact with metal centers have been probed through the coordination of H(2)BNCy(2) at 16-electron [CpRu(PR(3))(2)](+) fragments. In contrast to the side-on binding of isoelectronic alkene donors, an alternative mono(σ-BH) mode of aminoborane ligation is established for H(2)BNCy(2), with binding energies only ~8 kcal mol(-1) greater than those for analogous dinitrogen complexes.

Generation of cationic two-coordinate group-13 ligand systems by spontaneous halide ejection: remarkably nucleophile-resistant (dimethylamino)borylene complexes.

Spontaneous ejection of chloride from a three-coordinate boron Lewis acid can be effected by employing very electron rich metal substituents and leads to the formation of a sterically unprotected terminal (dimethylamino)borylene complex that has a short metal-boron bond and remarkable resistance to attack by nucleophilic and protic reagents.

Evaluation of electronics, electrostatics and hydrogen bond cooperativity in the binding of cyanide and fluoride by Lewis acidic ferrocenylboranes.

Synthetic approaches based on the direct borylation of ferrocene by BBr(3), followed by boryl substituent modification, or on the lithiation of ferrocene derivatives and subsequent quenching with the electrophile FBMes(2), have given access to a range of ferrocene derivatized Lewis acids with which to conduct a systematic study of fluoride and cyanide binding. In particular, the effects of borane electrophilicity, net charge, and ancillary ligand electronics/cooperativity on the binding affinities for these anions have been probed by a combination of NMR, IR, mass spectrometric, electrochemical, crystallographic, and UV-vis titration measurements. In this respect, modifications made at the para position of the boron-bound aromatic substituents exert a relatively minor influence on the binding constants for both fluoride and cyanide, as do the electronic properties of peripheral substituents at the 1'- position (even for cationic groups).