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Updated: May 29, 2026

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Triethylsilyl Perfluoro-Tetraphenylborate, [Et(3)Si][F(20)-BPh(4)], a widely used Non-Existent Compound
Matthew Nava1, Christopher A Reed
1Center for s and p Block Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Abstract:
The commonly used triethylsilyl per-fluoro-tetraphenylborate salt, [Et(3)Si(+)][F(20)-BPh(4) (-)], has been misidentified. As prepared, the cation is a hydride-bridged silane adduct [R(3)Si-H-SiR(3) (+)]. Under favorable circumstances it can be an effective source of the triethylsilylium ion Et(3)Si(+) but in the absence of a stabilizing base the potent electrophilicity of Et(3)Si(+) decomposes the "inert" F(20)-BPh(4) (-) counterion.
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