Catching the First Oligomerization Event in the Catalytic Formation of Polyaminoboranes: H3B·NMeHBH2·NMeH2 Bound to Iridium

Synthesis, Structures, and Reactivities of BCN-Heterocyclic B-N Chains

The BCN-heterocyclic B-N chain compounds, the sodium and potassium salts of 3 and 4 anions (Na3, Na4, and K4), were synthesized by reactions of ethane 1,2-diamineborane (BH3NH2CH2CH2NH2BH3, 1) and propane 1,2-diamineborane (BH3NH2CH2CH2CH2NH2BH3, 2) with MH (M = Na and K). Then, the neutral B-N chain compounds 5 and 6 were prepared with dehydrogenation of [NH4]3 and [NH4]4, formed by metathesis reactions of Na3 and Na4 with NH4Cl or NH4SCN, respectively. Compounds 7 and 8, analog 5, were also prepared using pyridine and 4-methoxypyridine instead of NH3 in 5. These synthesized compounds were characterized spectroscopically, and the singe-crystal structures of the Na3·18-crown-6 and K4·18-crown-6 adducts were determined. Furthermore, the reactions of Na3 and Na4 with cationic B-N chain compounds, [NH3BH2NH3]Cl and [NH3BH2NH2BH2NH3]Cl, could not form longer BCN-heterocyclic B-N chain. The solubility of metal hydrides, the ability for proton abstracting, the basicity of Lewis bases, and the chelate effect may influence these reactions even though the reaction mechanism is not fully understood.

Titanium-Catalyzed Polymerization of a Lewis Base-Stabilized Phosphinoborane

The reaction of the Lewis base-stabilized phosphinoborane monomer tBuHPBH2 NMe3 (2 a) with catalytic amounts of bis(η5 :η1 -adamantylidenepentafulvene)titanium (1) provides a convenient new route to the polyphosphinoborane [tBuPH-BH2 ]n (3 a). This method offers access to high molar mass materials under mild conditions and with short reaction times (20 °C, 1 h in toluene). It represents an unprecedented example of a transition metal-mediated polymerization of a Lewis base-stabilized Group 13/15 compound. Preliminary studies of the substrate scope and a potential mechanism are reported.

Transition-Metal-Free Dehydropolymerization of Phosphine-Boranes at Ambient Temperature

Stoichiometric reaction of phosphine-borane adducts RR'PH⋅BH₃ (R=Ph, R'=H, Ph, Et, and R=R'=^t Bu) with the strong acid HNTf₂ (Tf=SO₂ CF₃ ) leads to H₂ elimination and the formation of the triflimido derivatives, RR'PH⋅BH₂ (NTf₂ ). Subsequent deprotonation by using bases, such as diisopropylethylamine or the carbene IPr (IPr=N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), led to the formation of P-mono- or -disubstituted polyphosphinoboranes [RR'P-BH₂ ]_n . Evidence for the intermediacy of transient phosphinoborane monomers, RR'PBH₂ , was provided by trapping reactions.

Dehydropolymerization of H3B·NMeH2 Mediated by Cationic Iridium(III) Precatalysts Bearing κ3-iPr-PNRP Pincer Ligands (R = H, Me): An Unexpected Inner-Sphere Mechanism

The dehydropolymerization of H₃B·NMeH₂ to form N-methylpolyaminoborane using neutral and cationic catalysts based on the {Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)} fragment [ⁱPr-PN^HP = κ³-(CH₂CH₂PⁱPr₂)₂NH] is reported. Neutral Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)H₃ or Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)H₂Cl precatalysts show no, or poor and unselective, activity respectively at 298 K in 1,2-F₂C₆H₄ solution. In contrast, addition of [NMeH₃][BAr^F₄] (Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) to Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)H₃ immediately starts catalysis, suggesting that a cationic catalytic manifold operates. Consistent with this, independently synthesized cationic precatalysts are active (tested between 0.5 and 2.0 mol % loading) producing poly(N-methylaminoborane) with M_n ∼ 40,000 g/mol, Đ ∼1.5, i.e., dihydrogen/dihydride, [Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)(H)₂(H₂)][BAr^F₄]; σ-amine-borane [Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)(H)₂(H₃B·NMe₃)][BAr^F₄]; and [Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)(H)₂(NMeH₂)][BAr^F₄]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations probe hydride exchange processes in two of these complexes and also show that the barrier to amine-borane dehydrogenation is lower (22.5 kcal/mol) for the cationic system compared with the neutral system (24.3 kcal/mol). The calculations show that the dehydrogenation proceeds via an inner-sphere process without metal–ligand cooperativity, and this is supported experimentally by N–Me substituted [Ir(ⁱPr-PN^MeP)(H)₂(H₃B·NMe₃)][BAr^F₄] being an active catalyst. Key to the lower barrier calculated for the cationic system is the outer-sphere coordination of an additional H₃B·NMeH₂ with the N–H group of the ligand. Experimentally, kinetic studies indicate a complex reaction manifold that shows pronounced deceleratory temporal profiles. As supported by speciation and DFT studies, a key observation is that deprotonation of [Ir(ⁱPr-N^HP)(H)₂(H₂)][BAr^F₄], formed upon amine-borane dehydrogenation, by the slow in situ formation of NMeH₂ (via B–N bond cleavage), results in the formation of essentially inactive Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)H₃, with a coproduct of [NMeH₃]⁺/[H₂B(NMeH₂)₂]⁺. While reprotonation of Ir(ⁱPr-PN^HP)H₃ results in a return to the cationic cycle, it is proposed, supported by doping experiments, that reprotonation is attenuated by entrainment of the [NMeH₃]⁺/[H₂B(NMeH₂)₂]⁺/catalyst in insoluble polyaminoborane. The role of [NMeH₃]⁺/[H₂B(NMeH₂)]⁺ as chain control agents is also noted.

Controlled Synthesis of Well-Defined Polyaminoboranes on Scale Using a Robust and Efficient Catalyst

The air tolerant precatalyst, [Rh(L)(NBD)]Cl ([1]Cl) [L = κ³-(ⁱPr₂PCH₂CH₂)₂NH, NBD = norbornadiene], mediates the selective synthesis of N-methylpolyaminoborane, (H₂BNMeH)_n, by dehydropolymerization of H₃B·NMeH₂. Kinetic, speciation, and DFT studies show an induction period in which the active catalyst, Rh(L)H₃ (3), forms, which sits as an outer-sphere adduct 3·H₃BNMeH₂ as the resting state. At the end of catalysis, dormant Rh(L)H₂Cl (2) is formed. Reaction of 2 with H₃B·NMeH₂ returns 3, alongside the proposed formation of boronium [H₂B(NMeH₂)₂]Cl. Aided by isotopic labeling, Eyring analysis, and DFT calculations, a mechanism is proposed in which the cooperative "PNHP" ligand templates dehydrogenation, releasing H₂B═NMeH (ΔG^‡_calc = 19.6 kcal mol^-1). H₂B═NMeH is proposed to undergo rapid, low barrier, head-to-tail chain propagation for which 3 is the catalyst/initiator. A high molecular weight polymer is formed that is relatively insensitive to catalyst loading (M_n ∼71 000 g mol^-1; Đ, of ∼ 1.6). The molecular weight can be controlled using [H₂B(NMe₂H)₂]Cl as a chain transfer agent, M_n = 37 900-78 100 g mol^-1. This polymerization is suggested to arise from an ensemble of processes (catalyst speciation, dehydrogenation, propagation, chain transfer) that are geared around the concentration of H₃B·NMeH₂. TGA and DSC thermal analysis of polymer produced on scale (10 g, 0.01 mol % [1]Cl) show a processing window that allows for melt extrusion of polyaminoborane strands, as well as hot pressing, drop casting, and electrospray deposition. By variation of conditions in the latter, smooth or porous microstructured films or spherical polyaminoboranes beads (∼100 nm) result.

Syntheses, formation mechanisms and structures of a series of linear diborazanes

Both anti and gauche conformations are observed in the linear diborazanes, which are stabilized by inter- and intramolecular DHBs, respectively.

Dehydropolymerisation of methylamine borane using highly active rhodium(iii) bis(thiophosphinite) pincer complexes: catalytic and mechanistic insights

The bis(thiophosphinite) pincer complexes [(^RPSCSP^R)Rh(py)(H)(Cl)] (^RPSCSP^R = C₆H₄–2,6-(SPR₂)₂ with R = ⁱPr, 2a and R = Ph, 2b) are highly active precatalysts for the dehydropolymerisation of methylamine borane.

Rhenium versus cadmium: an alternative structure for a thermally stable cadmium carbonyl compound

An alternative description is provided for the previously reported novel tetranuclear cadmium carbonyl compound, [Cd(CO)3(C6H3Cl)]4. Specifically, consideration of single crystal X-ray diffraction data indicates that the compound is better formulated as the rhenium compound, [Re(CO)3(C4N2H3S)]4. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations predict that, if it were to exist, [Cd(CO)3(C6H3Cl)]4 would have a very different structure to that reported. While it is well known that X-ray diffraction may not reliably distinguish between atoms of similar atomic number (e.g. N/C and Cl/S), it is not generally recognized that two atoms with very different atomic numbers could be misassigned. The misidentification of two elements as diverse as Re and Cd (ΔZ = 27) is unexpected and serves as an important caveat for structure determinations.

Sustainable Option for Hydrogen Production: Mechanistic Study of the Interaction between Cobalt Pincer Complexes and Ammonia Borane

The mechanism of the solvolysis/hydrolysis of ammonia borane by iridium (Ir), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and ruthenium (Ru) complexes with various PNP ligands has been revisited using density functional theory (DFT). The approach of ammonia borane (NH3BH3) to the metal center has been tested on three different possible mechanisms, namely, the stepwise, concerted and proton transfer mechanism. It was found that the theoretical analyses correlate with the experimental results very well, with the activities of the iridium complexes with different PNP ligands following the order: (tBu)2P > (iPr)2P > (Ph)2P through the concerted mechanism. The reaction barriers of the rate-determining steps for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane catalyzed by the active species [(tBu)2PNP-IrH] (Complex I-8), are found to be 19.3 kcal/mol (stepwise), 15.2 kcal/mol (concerted) and 26.8 kcal/mol (proton transfer), respectively. Thus, the concerted mechanism is the more kinetically favorable pathway. It is interesting to find that stable (tBu)2PNP Co-H2O and (tBu)2PNP Co-NH3 chelation products exist, which could stabilize the active I-8 species during the hydrolysis reaction cycle. The use of more sterically hindered and electron-donating PNP ligands such as (adamantyl)2P- provides similar activity as the t-butyl analogue. This research provides insights into the design of efficient cobalt catalysts instead of using precious and noble metal, which could benefit the development of a more sustainable hydrogen economy.

Dehydropolymerisation of Methylamine Borane and an N-Substituted Primary Amine Borane Using a PNP Fe Catalyst

Dehydropolymerisation of methylamine borane (H3 B⋅NMeH2 ) using the well-known iron amido complex [(PNP)Fe(H)(CO)] (PNP=N(CH2 CH2 PiPr2 )2 ) (1) gives poly(aminoborane)s by a chain-growth mechanism. In toluene, rapid dehydrogenation of H3 B⋅NMeH2 following first-order behaviour as a limiting case of a more general underlying Michaelis-Menten kinetics is observed, forming aminoborane H2 B=NMeH, which selectively couples to give high-molecular-weight poly(aminoborane)s (H2 BNMeH)n and only traces of borazine (HBNMe)3 by depolymerisation after full conversion. Based on a series of comparative experiments using structurally related Fe catalysts and dimethylamine borane (H3 B⋅NMe2 H) polymer formation is proposed to occur by nucleophilic chain growth as reported earlier computationally and experimentally. A silyl functionalised primary borane H3 B⋅N(CH2 SiMe3 )H2 was studied in homo- and co-dehydropolymerisation reactions to give the first examples for Si containing poly(aminoborane)s.

Controllable syntheses of B/N anionic aminoborane chain complexes by the reaction of NH3BH3 with NaH and the mechanistic study

B/N anionic aminoborane linear or branched chain complexes, [BH3(NH2BH2)nH]- (n = 1, 2, and 3) and [BH(NH2BH3)3]-, have been synthesized through the controlled reactions of ammonia borane (NH3BH3) with NaH by adjusting the reactant ratios and reaction temperatures. The possible reaction mechanisms were elucidated based on experimental and theoretical studies.

Dehydropolymerization of H3B·NMeH2 Using a [Rh(DPEphos)]+ Catalyst: The Promoting Effect of NMeH2

[Rh(κ²-PP-DPEphos){η²η²-H₂B(NMe₃)(CH₂)₂^tBu}][BAr^F₄] acts as an effective precatalyst for the dehydropolymerization of H₃B·NMeH₂ to form N-methylpolyaminoborane (H₂BNMeH)_n. Control of polymer molecular weight is achieved by variation of precatalyst loading (0.1–1 mol %, an inverse relationship) and use of the chain-modifying agent H₂: with M_n ranging between 5 500 and 34 900 g/mol and Đ between 1.5 and 1.8. H₂ evolution studies (1,2-F₂C₆H₄ solvent) reveal an induction period that gets longer with higher precatalyst loading and complex kinetics with a noninteger order in [Rh]_TOTAL. Speciation studies at 10 mol % indicate the initial formation of the amino–borane bridged dimer, [Rh₂(κ²-PP-DPEphos)₂(μ-H)(μ-H₂BN=HMe)][BAr^F₄], followed by the crystallographically characterized amidodiboryl complex [Rh₂(cis-κ²-PP-DPEphos)₂(σ,μ-(H₂B)₂NHMe)][BAr^F₄]. Adding ∼2 equiv of NMeH₂ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution to the precatalyst removes this induction period, pseudo-first-order kinetics are observed, a half-order relationship to [Rh]_TOTAL is revealed with regard to dehydrogenation, and polymer molecular weights are increased (e.g., M_n = 40 000 g/mol). Speciation studies suggest that NMeH₂ acts to form the  precatalysts [Rh(κ²-DPEphos)(NMeH₂)₂][BAr^F₄] and [Rh(κ²-DPEphos)(H)₂(NMeH₂)₂][BAr^F₄], which were independently synthesized and shown to follow very similar dehydrogenation kinetics, and produce polymers of molecular weight comparable with [Rh(κ²-PP-DPEphos){η²-H₂B(NMe₃)(CH₂)₂^tBu}][BAr^F₄], which has been doped with amine. This promoting effect of added amine in situ is shown to be general in other cationic Rh-based systems, and possible mechanistic scenarios are discussed.

Amine-Borane Dehydropolymerization: Challenges and Opportunities

The dehydropolymerization of amine-boranes, exemplified as H2 RB⋅NR'H2 , to produce polyaminoboranes (HRBNR'H)n that are inorganic analogues of polyolefins with alternating main-chain B-N units, is an area with significant potential, stemming from both fundamental (mechanism, catalyst development, main-group hetero-cross-coupling) and technological (new polymeric materials) opportunities. This Concept article outlines recent advances in the field, covering catalyst development and performance, current mechanistic models, and alternative non-catalytic routes for polymer production. The substrate scope, polymer properties and applications of these exciting materials are also outlined. Challenges and opportunities in the field are suggested, as a way of providing focus for future investigations.

Unravelling a general mechanism of converting ionic B/N complexes into neutral B/N analogues of alkanes: Hδ+⋯Hδ– dihydrogen bonding assisted dehydrogenation

Different mechanisms for [NH₃BH₂NH₃]⁺[BH₄]⁻ → NH₃BH₃ + [NH₂BH₂]_n and [NH₄]⁺[BH₃NH₂BH₃]⁻ → NH₃BH₂NH₂BH₃ have been elucidated, which leads to the proposal of a general mechanism as below.

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of amine-boranes and amines into diaminoboranes: isolation of a Pt(ii), Shimoi-type, η(1)-BH complex

The platinum complex [Pt(I(t)Bu')(I(t)Bu)][BAr(F)] is a very efficient catalyst in the synthesis of diaminoboranes through dehydrocoupling of amine-boranes and amines. Shimoi-type, η(1)-BH complexes are key intermediates in the process.

Dehydrocoupling of dimethylamine–borane promoted by manganese(ii) m-terphenyl complexes

Low-coordinate m-terphenyl complexes are precatalysts for dehydrocoupling of dimethylamine–borane, where small changes in coordination environment effect significant mechanistic differences.

Octahedral manganese(i) and ruthenium(ii) complexes containing 2-(methylamido)pyridine–borane as a tripod κ3N,H,H-ligand

The borane adduct of the 2-(methylamido)pyridine anion has been incorporated into octahedral metal (Mn, Ru) complexes and their bonding has been studied by theoretical methods (DFT, QTAIM).

Catalytic B-N Dehydrogenation Using Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Evidence for a Chain-Growth Coupling Mechanism

The catalytic dehydrogenation of ammonia- and amine-boranes by a dimethylxanthene-derived frustrated Lewis pair is described. Turnover is facilitated on a thermodynamic basis by the ready release of H2 from the weakly basic PPh2-containing system. In situ NMR studies and the isolation of intermediates from stoichiometric reactions support a mechanism initiated by B-H activation, followed by end-growth BN coupling involving the terminal NH bond of the bound BN fragment and a BH bond of the incoming borane monomer.

The Synthesis, Characterization and Dehydrogenation of Sigma-Complexes of BN-Cyclohexanes

The coordination chemistry of the 1,2-BN-cyclohexanes 2,2-R2 -1,2-B,N-C4 H10 (R2 =HH, MeH, Me2 ) with Ir and Rh metal fragments has been studied. This led to the solution (NMR spectroscopy) and solid-state (X-ray diffraction) characterization of [Ir(PCy3 )2 (H)2 (η(2) η(2) -H2 BNR2 C4 H8 )][BAr(F) 4 ] (NR2 =NH2 , NMeH) and [Rh(iPr2 PCH2 CH2 CH2 PiPr2 )(η(2) η(2) -H2 BNR2 C4 H8 )][BAr(F) 4 ] (NR2 =NH2 , NMeH, NMe2 ). For NR2 =NH2 subsequent metal-promoted, dehydrocoupling shows the eventual formation of the cyclic tricyclic borazine [BNC4 H8 ]3 , via amino-borane and, tentatively characterized using DFT/GIAO chemical shift calculations, cycloborazane intermediates. For NR2 =NMeH the final product is the cyclic amino-borane HBNMeC4 H8 . The mechanism of dehydrogenation of 2,2-H,Me-1,2-B,N-C4 H10 using the {Rh(iPr2 PCH2 CH2 CH2 PiPr2 )}(+) catalyst has been probed. Catalytic experiments indicate the rapid formation of a dimeric species, [Rh2 (iPr2 PCH2 CH2 CH2 PiPr2 )2 H5 ][BAr(F) 4 ]. Using the initial rate method starting from this dimer, a first-order relationship to [amine-borane], but half-order to [Rh] is established, which is suggested to be due to a rapid dimer-monomer equilibrium operating.

s-Block amidoboranes: syntheses, structures, reactivity and applications

The highly versatile amidoborane compounds of the group 1 and 2 metals are reviewed, with an emphasis on their synthesis, structures and reactivity.

Polymers and the p-block elements

A survey of the state-of-the-art in the development of synthetic methods to incorporate p-block elements into polymers is given. The incorporation of main group elements (groups 13-16) into long chains provides access to materials with fascinating chemical and physical properties imparted by the presence of inorganic groups. Perhaps the greatest impedance to the widespread academic and commercial use of p-block element-containing macromolecules is the synthetic challenge associated with linking inorganic elements into long chains. In recent years, creative methodologies have been developed to incorporate heteroatoms into polymeric structures, with perhaps the greatest advances occurring with hybrid organic-inorganic polymers composed of boron, silicon, phosphorus and sulfur. With these developments, materials are currently being realized that possess exciting chemical, photophysical and thermal properties that are not possible for conventional organic polymers. This review focuses on highlighting the most significant recent advances whilst giving an appropriate background for the general reader. Of particular focus will be advances made over the last two decades, with emphasis on the novel synthetic methodologies employed.