Boron-Mediated Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage and Rearrangement of Benzene Forming the Borepinyl Radical and Borole Derivatives

Spectroscopic Characterization of the 1-Boratricyclo-[4.1.0.02,7]-heptane Radical with a Delocalized Four-Center-One-Electron Bond

The boron atom is a highly electrophilic reagent due to the presence of its empty p orbital, making it prone to undergo electrophilic addition reactions with the carbon-carbon double bonds of olefins. In this study, the classical C=C reaction pathway occurs when a boron atom attacks the C=C bond of cyclohexene, resulting in the formation of the η2 (1,2)-BC6H10 complex (A) that contains a borirane radical subunit. This complex can further undergo photoisomerization, leading to the formation of a 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroborepine radical (C) through the cleavage of C-C bonds. In addition, two 1-boratricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane radicals with chair (B) and boat (B') conformations were observed through α C-H cleavage reactions. Bonding analysis indicates that these radicals involve a four-center-one-electron (4c-1e) bond. Under UV light irradiation, these two radicals undergo ring-opening and rearrangement reactions, resulting in the formation of a 1-cyclohexen-1-yl-borane radical (D), which is a sp2 C-H activation product. These findings delineate a potential pathway for the synthesis of organoboron radicals through boron-mediated C-H and C-C bond cleavage reactions in cycloolefins.

Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into a Series of CBxOy- Compounds Mediated by LaB3,4O2- Anions: Synergy of the Electron Transfer and Lewis Pair Mechanisms to Construct B-C Bonds

Converting CO2 into value-added products containing B-C bonds is a great challenge, especially for multiple B-C bonds, which are versatile building blocks for organoborane chemistry. In the condensed phase, the B-C bond is typically formed through transition metal-catalyzed direct borylation of hydrocarbons via C-H bond activation or transition metal-catalyzed insertion of carbenes into B-H bonds. However, excessive amounts of powerful boryl reagents are required, and products containing B-C bonds are complex. Herein, a novel method to construct multiple B-C bonds at room temperature is proposed by the gas-phase reactions of CO2 with LaBmOn- (m = 1-4, n = 1 or 2). Mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations are applied to investigate these reactions, and a series of new compounds, CB2O2-, CB3O3-, and CB3O2-, which possess B-C bonds, are generated in the reactions of LaB3,4O2- with CO2. When the number of B atoms in the clusters is reduced to 2 or 1, there is only CO-releasing channel, and no CBxOy- compounds are released. Two major factors are responsible for this quite intriguing reactivity: (1) Synergy of electron transfer and boron-boron Lewis acid-base pair mechanisms facilitates the rupture of C═O double bond in CO2. (2) The boron sites in the clusters can efficiently capture the newly formed CO units in the course of reactions, favoring the formation of B-C bonds. This finding may provide fundamental insights into the CO2 transformation driven by clusters containing lanthanide atoms and how to efficiently build B-C bonds under room temperature.

Synthesis and characterization of azaborepin radicals in solid neon through boron-mediated C-N bond cleavage of pyridine

The reactivity of pyridine is a complex topic due to its unique electronic structure. The reactions of atomic boron with pyridine molecules in solid neon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. Three products (marked as A, B, and C) were observed and characterized through 10B, D and 15N isotopic substitution pyridine regents as well as quantum chemical calculations. In the reaction, the ground-state boron atom can attack the lone pair electrons of the nitrogen atom in the pyridine molecule, resulting in the formation of a 1-boropyridinyl radical (A). Alternatively, addition to the aromatic π-system of pyridine can occur in a [1,4] type, leading to the formation of a B[η2(1,4)-C5H5N] complex (B). Under UV-visible light (280 < λ < 580 nm) irradiation, these two compounds can further undergo photo-isomerization to form BN-embedded seven-membered azaborepin compounds (C). The observation of species A, B, and the subsequent photo-isomerization to species C is consistent with theoretical predictions, indicating that these reactions are kinetically favorable. This research provides valuable insights into the future design and synthesis of corresponding BN heterocyclic derivatives.

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of large boron heterocyclic radicals: Matrix infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Six boron heterocyclic radicals with different conformations or configurations were synthesized in solid neon and identified by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy as well as quantum-chemical calculations. The ground-state boron atom selectively attacks the C = C bond of cycloheptene forming η2 (1,2)-BC7H12 complex (A), which contains a chair conformation and a boat conformation. Species A isomerizes to the 2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydroborocine radical (B), which involves an eight-membered boron heterocyclic ring and also has two isomers observed. The 1-(prop-1-en-1-yl)-2,3,4-dihydro borole radical (C) with E-configuration and Z-configuration is generated as the final product under UV light irradiation through ring contraction reaction and the hydrogen atom transfer reaction. The observation of species A and further photo-isomerization to species C is consistent with theoretical predictions that these reactions are thermodynamically exothermic and kinetically facile. This work not only provides a possible route for future design and synthesis of corresponding borole derivatives, but also provides new insights into the structural and spectroscopic information of boron heterocyclic radicals with different conformations and configurations.

Photoinduced Dual C-F Bond Activation of Hexafluorobenzene Mediated by Boron Atom

The reaction of laser-ablated boron atoms with hexafluorobenzene (C6 F6 ) was investigated in neon and argon matrices, and the products are identified by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. The reaction is triggered by a boron atom insertion into one C-F bond of hexafluorobenzene on annealing, forming a fluoropentafluorophenyl boryl radical (A). UV-Vis light irradiation of fluoropentafluorophenyl boryl radical causes generation of a 2-difluoroboryl-tetrafluorophenyl radical (B) via a second C-F bond activation. A perfluoroborepinyl radical (C) is also observed upon deposition and under UV-Vis light irradiation. This finding reveals the new example of a dual C-F bond activation of hexafluorobenzene mediated by a nonmetal and provides a possible route for synthesis of new perfluorinated organo-boron compounds.

Reversible Boron-Insertion into Aromatic C-C Bonds

Formation of borabicyclo[3.2.0]heptadiene derivatives was achieved via boron-insertion into aromatic C-C bonds in the photo-promoted skeletal rearrangement reaction of triarylboranes bearing an ortho-phosphino substituent (ambiphilic phosphine-boranes). The borabicyclo[3.2.0]heptadiene derivatives were fully characterized by NMR and X-ray analyses. The dearomatized products were demonstrated to undergo the reverse reaction in the dark at room temperature, realizing photochemical and thermal interconversion between triarylboranes and boron-doped bicyclic systems. Experimental and theoretical studies revealed that sequential two electrocyclic reactions involving E/Z-isomerization of an alkene moiety proceed via a highly strained trans-borepin intermediate.

Unlocking mild-condition benzene ring contraction using nonheme diiron N-oxygenase

Benzene ring contractions are useful yet rare reactions that offer a convenient synthetic route to various valuable chemicals. However, the traditional methods of benzene contraction rely on noble-metal catalysts under extreme conditions with poor efficiency and uncontrollable selectivity. Mild-condition contractions of the benzene ring are rarely reported. This study presents a one-step, one-pot benzene ring contraction reaction mediated by an engineered nonheme diiron N-oxygenase. Using various aniline substrates as amine sources, the enzyme causes the phloroglucinol-benzene-ring contraction to afford a series of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione structures. A reaction detail study reveals that the nonheme diiron N-oxygenase first oxidizes the aromatic amine to a nitroso intermediate, which then attacks the phloroglucinol anion and causes benzene ring contraction. Besides, we have identified two potent antitumor compounds from the ring-contracted products.

Photoinduced boron atom insertion of benzocyclobutene forming an unprecedented fused boron heterocyclic radical

Two novel boron heterocyclic radicals, an addition bicyclo[4.2.1]octa-1,3,5-trien-1-yl-borane radical (A) and an insertion 7-1H-borolo[1,2-a]borinine radical (B), were synthesized, and characterized in the reaction of atomic boron with benzocyclobutene. Species B involving a fused boron heterocyclic was spectroscopically characterized for the first time. This work is a new approach for boron-mediated molecular editing and the synthesis of fused boron heterocyclic compounds.

Spectroscopic Identification of the Heterocumulenic Isocyanatoborane Radical HBNCO

The highly elusive isocyanatoborane radical HBNCO has been generated by the reaction of laser-ablated boron atoms with HNCO and also by the light-induced chemical transformation of the hydrogen-bonded molecule-radical complex BNH···CO in solid neon matrix. IR spectroscopic and theoretical studies indicate that the HBNCO radical possesses a quasilinear B═N═C═O heterocumulenic structure with the unpaired electron mainly located at the boron atom. This is in sharp contrast to the bonding properties of the isoelectronic analogues HCCCO and NCCO, in which the unpaired electron is located at the terminal CO moiety.

Molecular-level electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction mediated by single platinum atoms

The activation and transformation of H₂O and CO₂ mediated by electrons and single Pt atoms is demonstrated at the molecular level. The reaction mechanism is revealed by the synergy of mass spectrometry, photoelectron spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. Specifically, a Pt atom captures an electron and activates H₂O to form a H-Pt-OH^- complex. This complex reacts with CO₂via two different pathways to form formate, where CO₂ is hydrogenated, or to form bicarbonate, where CO₂ is carbonated. The overall formula of this reaction is identical to a typical electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction on a Pt electrode. Since the reactants are electrons and isolated, single atoms and molecules, we term this reaction a molecular-level electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction. Mechanistic analysis reveals that the negative charge distribution on the Pt-H and the -OH moieties in H-Pt-OH^- is critical for the hydrogenation and carbonation of CO₂. The realization of the molecular-level CO₂ reduction reaction provides insights into the design of novel catalysts for the electrochemical conversion of CO₂.

Spectroscopic Characterization of Two Boron Heterocyclic Radicals in the Solid Neon Matrix

Two novel boron heterocyclic radicals, 3,4,5-trihydroborinine radical and 1-methyl-2-dihydro-1H-borole radical, were observed in the reaction of boron atom with cyclopentene. These radicals were trapped in solid neon and identified by...

Matrix Infrared Spectra of 1-Ethynyl-1H-Silole Species from Reaction of Silicon Atoms with Benzene

The reaction of silicon atoms with benzene molecule in solid neon are studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. Aided by carbon-13 and deuterium isotopic shifts as well as quantum-chemical predictions,...

Simultaneous Functionalization of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Mediated by Single Platinum Atomic Anions

Mass spectrometric analysis of the anionic products of interaction among Pt^-, methane, and carbon dioxide shows that the methane activation complex, H₃C-Pt-H^-, reacts with CO₂ to form [H₃C-Pt-H(CO₂)]^-. Two hydrogenation and one C-C bond coupling products are identified as isomers of [H₃C-Pt-H(CO₂)]^- by a synergy between anion photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Mechanistic study reveals that both CH₄ and CO₂ are activated by the anionic Pt atom and that the successive depletion of the negative charge on Pt drives the CO₂ insertion into the Pt-H and Pt-C bonds of H₃C-Pt-H^-. This study represents the first example of the simultaneous functionalization of CH₄ and CO₂ mediated by single atomic anions.