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Olefin π-coordination chemistry at low-oxidation-state boron
Maximilian Michel1,2, Marco Weber1,2, Arumugam Jayaraman1,2,3
1Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Nature Chemistry
|September 20, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel monovalent boron system for reversible olefin functionalization. This breakthrough offers new possibilities for catalysis and organic synthesis involving first-row p-block elements.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Main Group Chemistry
Background:
- Transition metals commonly coordinate and substitute hydrocarbon substrates.
- This behavior is rare in first-row p-block elements due to irreversible covalent bond formation.
- Boranes can bind olefins, but reversible single-site coordination and functionalization remain elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a first-row p-block element system for reversible olefin coordination and functionalization.
- To investigate the unique bonding and reactivity of borylene-olefin complexes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of stable monovalent boron compounds.
- Characterization of borylene-olefin π complexes using spectroscopic techniques.
- Investigation of olefin binding, liberation, and functionalization reactions.
Main Results:
- A stable monovalent boron system capable of coordinating olefins was successfully synthesized.
- The resulting borylene-olefin π complexes exhibit unique bonding, distinct from conventional boriranes.
- These complexes demonstrate reversible olefin binding, liberation, and functionalization.
Conclusions:
- The developed monovalent boron system enables reversible olefin coordination and functionalization.
- The high π-complex character of these species is key to their unique reactivity.
- This work opens new avenues for catalysis and synthesis using first-row p-block elements.
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