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Published on: November 30, 2022
From an electron-rich bis(boraketenimine) to an electron-poor diborene
Julian Böhnke1, Holger Braunschweig, Theresa Dellermann
1Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg (Germany).
Abstract:
The reaction of the bisboracumulene (CAAC)2 B2 (CAAC=1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) with excess tert-butylisocyanide resulted in complexation of the isocyanide at boron. Though this compound might be formally drawn with a lone pair on boron, these electrons are highly delocalized throughout a conjugated π-network consisting of the π-acidic CAAC and isocyanide ligands. Heating this compound to 110 °C liberated the organic periphery of both isocyanide ligands, yielding the first example of a dicyanodiborene. Cyclic voltammetry conducted on this diborene indicated the presence of reduction waves, making this compound unique among diborenes, which are otherwise highly reducing.
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