Tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane: An Isolable, Halogen-Free, Lewis Superacid.

ABSTRACT: The synthesis of tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane (BoCb₃ ), a single site neutral Lewis superacid, in one pot from commercially available materials is achieved. The high fluoride ion affinity (FIA) confirms its classification as a Lewis superacid and the Gutmann-Beckett method as well as adducts with Lewis bases indicate stronger Lewis acidity over the widely used fluorinated aryl boranes. The electron withdrawing effect of ortho-carborane and lack of pi-delocalization of the LUMO rationalize the unusually high Lewis acidity. Catalytic studies indicate that BoCb₃ is a superior catalyst for promoting C-F bond functionalization reactions than tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C₆ F₅ )₃ ].

SUBMITTER: Akram MO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9828388 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature