1-Borabarrelene derivatives via Diels-Alder additions to borabenzenes

2-Alkylphosphino-1-boraadamantanes

Boraadamantanes are a privileged class of caged group 13 compounds having a trigonal pyramidal (non-VSEPR) ground-state. The Lewis acid-base chemistry of this type of compound is underdeveloped when compared to acyclic derivatives. This report provides the first examples of bifunctional boraadamantanes with an appended phosphine moiety (also the first boraadamantanes having a phosphorus-boron bond). Using this scaffold, boraadamantane coordination compounds are accessed for the first time.

Unraveling Reactivity Pathways: Dihydrogen Activation and Hydrogenation of Multiple Bonds by Pyramidalized Boron-Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The activation of H2 by pyramidalized boron-based frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) (B/E-FLP systems where "E" refers to N, P, As, Sb, and Bi) have been explored using density functional theory (DFT) based computational study. The activation pathway for the entire process is accurately characterized through the utilization of the activation strain model (ASM) of reactivity, shedding light on the underlying physical factors governing the process. The study also explores the hydrogenation process of multiple bonds with the help of B/N-FLP. The research findings demonstrate that the liberation of activated dihydrogen occurs in a synchronized, albeit noticeably asynchronous, fashion. The transformation is extensively elucidated using the activation strain model and the energy decomposition analysis. This approach suggests a co-operative double hydrogen-transfer mechanism, where the B-H hydride triggers a nucleophilic attack on the carbon atom of the multiple bonds, succeeded by the migration of the protic N-H.

Ligand-enforced geometric constraints and associated reactivity in p-block compounds

The geometry at an element centre can generally be predicted based on the number of electron pairs around it using valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory. Strategies to distort p-block compounds away from these predicted geometries have gained considerable interest due to the unique structural outcomes, spectroscopic properties or reactivity patterns engendered by such distortion. This review presents an up-to-date group-wise summary of this exciting and rapidly growing field with a focus on understanding how the ligand employed unlocks structural features, which in turn influences the associated reactivity. Relevant geometrically constrained compounds from groups 13-16 are discussed, along with selected stoichiometric and catalytic reactions. Several areas for advancement in this field are also discussed. Collectively, this review advances the notion of geometric tuning as an important lever, alongside electronic and steric tuning, in controlling bonding and reactivity at p-block centres.

The Field of Main Group Lewis Acids and Lewis Superacids: Important Basics and Recent Developments

New developments in the field of Lewis acidity are highlighted, with the focus of novel Lewis acids and Lewis superacids of group 2, 13, 14, and 15 elements. Several important basics, illustrated by modern examples (classification of Donor-Acceptor (DA) complexes, amphoteric nature of any compound in terms of DA interactions, reorganization energies of main group Lewis acids and the role of the energies of frontier orbitals) are presented and discussed. It is emphasized that the Lewis acidity phenomena are general and play vital role in different areas of chemistry: from weak "atomophilic" interactions to the complexes of Lewis superacids.

Lewis acid stabilized group 13-15 element analogs of ethylene

Stabilization of hydrogen-substituted group 13-15 compounds H₂ EE'H₂ (E = B, Al, Ga; E' = P, As, Sb) by Lewis acids is considered at B3LYP/def2-TZVP, B3LYP-D3/def2-TZVP and M06-2X/def2-TZVP levels of theory. It is shown, that for many Lewis acids additional reactivity beyond the DA complex formation with H₂ EE'H₂ monomer is expected. In case of complexation with E(C₆ F₅ )₃ , F/H exchange reactions with group 13 bound hydrides are predicted to be exothermic and accompanied by the activation energies which are smaller than dissociation of the complex into components. In case of complex formation with transition metal (TM) carbonyls, additional O → Al, TM-C → Al interactions are observed, which in several cases lead to cyclic structures. The most promising candidates for the experimental studies have been identified. Synthetic approaches to the most promising LA-only stabilized compounds are recommended.

Predicting Small Molecule Activation including Catalytic Hydrogenation of Dinitrogen Promoted by a Dual Lewis Acid

For decades, N₂ activation and functionalization have required the use of transition metal complexes. Thus, it is one of the most challenging projects to activate the abundant dinitrogen through metal-free systems under mild conditions. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept study on the catalytic hydrogenation of dinitrogen (with activation energy as low as 15.3 kcal mol^-1 ) initiated by a dual Lewis acid (DLA) via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, such a DLA could be also used to activate a series of small molecules including carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, N-ethylenemethylamine, and acetonitrile. It is found that aromaticity plays an important role in stabilizing intermediates and products. Our findings provide an alternative approach to N₂ activation and functionalization, highlighting a great potential of DLA for small molecule activation.

Hydrogen Activation by Frustrated and Not So Frustrated Lewis Pairs Based on Pyramidal Lewis Acid 9-Boratriptycene: A Computational Study

Structural features and reactivity of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) formed by pyramidal group 13 Lewis acids based on 9-bora and 9-alatriptycene and bulky phosphines P ^t Bu₃, PPh₃, and PCy₃ are considered at the M06-2X/def2-TZVP level of theory. Classic FLP is formed only in the B(C₆Me₄)₃CH/P ^t Bu₃ system, while both FLP and donor-acceptor (DA) complex are observed in the B(C₆F₄)₃CF/P ^t Bu₃ system. Formation of DA complexes was observed in other systems; the B(C₆H₄)₃CH·P ^t Bu₃ complex features an elongated DA bond and can be considered a "latent" FLP. Transition states and reaction pathways for molecular hydrogen activation have been obtained. Processes of heterolytic hydrogen splitting are energetically more favored in solution compared to the gas phase, while activation energies in the gas phase and in solution are close. The alternative processes of hydrogenation of B-C or Al-C bonds in the source pyramidal Lewis acids in the absence of a Lewis base are exergonic but have larger activation energies than those for heterolytic hydrogen splitting. The tuning of Lewis acidity of 9-boratriptycene by changing the substituents allows one to control its reactivity with respect to hydrogen activation. Interestingly, the most promising system from the practical point of view is the DA complex B(C₆H₄)₃CH·P ^t Bu₃, which is predicted to provide both low activation energy and thermodynamic reversibility of the heterolytic hydrogen splitting process. It appears that such "not so frustrated" or "latent" FLPs are the best candidates for reversible heterolytic hydrogen splitting.

A free boratriptycene-type Lewis superacid

An exceptionally strong ferrocene-containing, cationic boratriptycene-type Lewis acid is stabilized by a weak Fe⋯B through-space interaction.

Non-planar Boron Lewis Acids Taking the Next Step: Development of Tunable Lewis Acids, Lewis Superacids and Bifunctional Catalysts

Although boron Lewis acids commonly adopt a trigonal planar geometry, a number of compounds in which the trivalent boron atom is located in a pyramidal environment have been described. This review will highlight the recent developments of the chemistry and applications of non-planar boron Lewis acids, including a series of non-planar triarylboranes derived from the triptycene core. A thorough analysis of the properties and of the influence of the pyramidalization of boron Lewis acids on their stereoelectronic properties and reactivities is presented based on recent theoretical and experimental studies.

1 Non-planar Trialkylboranes

2 Non-planar Alkyl and Aryl-Boronates

3 Non-planar Triarylboranes and Alkenylboranes

3.1 Previous Investigations on Bora Barrelenes and Triptycenes

3.2 Recent Work on Boratriptycenes from Our Research Group

4 Applications of Non-planar Boranes

4.1 Non-planar Alkyl Boranes and Boronates

4.2 Non-planar Triarylboranes (Boratriptycenes)

5 Other Non-planar Group 13 Lewis Acids

6 Further Work and Perspectives

Small molecule activation by boron-containing heterocycles

Most of the chemical and biological processes involving the fixation and transformation of small molecules have long been exclusive for metal complexes. Meanwhile, the last decades have seen a significant advance in main group chemistry that mimics transition-metal complexes, among which various boron-containing systems have been successful in mediating the small molecule activation. In this review, we focus on boron-containing heterocycles enabling the activation of σ- and π-bonds in small molecules, in conjunction with the proposed mechanisms.

Application of cycloaddition reactions to the syntheses of novel boron compounds

This review covers the application of cycloaddition reactions in forming the boron-containing compounds such as symmetric star-shaped boron-enriched dendritic molecules, nano-structured boron materials and aromatic boronic esters. The resulting boron compounds are potentially important reagents for both materials science and medical applications such as in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in cancer treatment and as drug delivery agents and synthetic intermediates for carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions. In addition, the use of boron cage compounds in a number of cycloaddition reactions to synthesize unique aromatic species will be reviewed briefly.

5b,7b-Diaza-3b,9b-diborabenzo[ ghi ]perylenes

Treatment of a precursor to the chelating Lewis acid 2,2′-diborabiphenyl with 2,6-bisalkynyl-substituted pyridazines, leads to elimination of 2 equiv. of ClSiMe3; subsequent treatment of the mixture with PtCl2 catalyzes the cyclization of observable intermediates to the title 5b,7b-diaza-3b,9b-diborabenzo[ghi]perylene compounds in low isolated yields. The compounds were characterized by NMR and UV–vis spectroscopies, and in one case, by X-ray crystallography. NICS(1) computations indicate that the inner ring is less aromatic than the outer rings.

Synthetic Methods for the Generation and Preparative Application of Benzyne

Many methods have been developed for generating benzyne. Convenient and reliable precursors extensively studied so far involve benzenediazonium-2-carboxylate and o-dihalobenzenes such as 1,2-bromofluorobenzene and 1,2-dibromobenzene. Recently, in addition to the above precursors, o-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflate has been put into frequent use for benzyne reactions, in which benzyne is efficiently generated under mild conditions using fluoride ion. Furthermore, o-(trimethylsilyl)phenyliodonium triflate has been developed as a more efficient benzyne precursor. This mini-review focusses on recent progress in benzyne chemistry from the viewpoint of organic synthesis. The methods for generating benzynes are classified by the conditions into four categories: basic conditions using strong bases, mild conditions using fluoride ion, thermolysis, and oxidation.

Lewis acidity enhancement of organoboranes via oxidation of appended ferrocene moieties

The Lewis acidity of boron in diboradiferrocene 1 is strongly enhanced through oxidation of the iron atoms as evident from examination of X-ray structural parameters of the mixed-valent cation 1(+)PF(6) and further confirmed from the strong complexation of MeCN to the dication in 2(2+)(I(3))(2).