A Crystalline Monomeric Diboryl Diazene

Area of Science:

• Main group chemistry
• Organoboron chemistry
• Nitrogen chemistry

Background:

• Azo compounds are fundamental nitrogen-containing molecules.
• Monomeric diboryl diazenes were previously elusive, presumed to be unstable intermediates or polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize an isolable monomeric diboryl diazene.
• To investigate the reactivity of this novel compound with various substrates.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Mes₂BN═NBMes₂ (2).
• Characterization using spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
• Reactivity studies with Lewis bases and N-H containing compounds.

Main Results:

• Isolation and characterization of a monomeric diboryl diazene with a B═N═N═B core.
• Lewis basic substrates induced N₂ extrusion, generating Mes₂B• radicals.
• Ammonia and ethylamine triggered cooperative N-H bond activation without radical formation.

Conclusions:

• Diboryl diazenes are versatile main group platforms.
• Enables controllable generation of boryl radicals.
• Provides insights into nitrogen (N₂) reduction pathways.