A Benzodiphosphaborolediide

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Main Group Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Diphosphaborolediides are a class of inorganic compounds that have not been extensively studied.
• Aromaticity in polyanionic systems is of significant interest in chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize the first example of a benzo-fused diphosphaborolediide.
• To investigate the aromaticity and coordination properties of this novel compound.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis via sequential lithiation of ortho-bis(phosphino)benzene with dichlorophenylborane.
• Characterization using X-ray diffraction, NICS calculations, and preliminary coordination studies.
• Formation of dilithio-salt as THF solvate or TMEDA adduct.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of the benzo-fused [C6H4P2BPh]2- (12-) diphosphaborolediide.
• X-ray diffraction confirmed the structure of the dilithio-salt solvates.
• NICS calculations and coordination studies suggest aromatic character and η5-coordination to molybdenum.

Conclusions:

• The first diphosphaborolediide has been synthesized and characterized.
• The compound displays evidence of aromaticity.
• Preliminary studies show its ability to coordinate to a zerovalent molybdenum center, highlighting its potential in organometallic chemistry.