Zinc borylation and reduction by a diborane(4) species via B–O bond formation †

Journal article

We report a convenient synthesis of the zinc–boryl complex (NacnacMes)ZnBpin under mild conditions via formal disproportionation of bis(pinacolato)diboron(4), aided thermodynamically by B–O bond formation. This species can be isolated both base-free and as the DMAP adduct (NacnacMes)Zn(DMAP)Bpin and crystallographically characterised in the latter form. Onward reactivity of the base free zinc boryl complex with CO2 occurs reductively, yielding further B–O bonds as well as CO gas. The strength of this driving force can then be harnessed in the reaction between (NacnacMes)ZnBpin and a Zn–O bonded species (NacnacMes)ZnOB{(NDippCH)2}, which yields the metal–metal bonded dimer [(NacnacMes)Zn]2, the overall formation of which utilizes a diboron(4) species as the stoichiometric reductant of Zn(ii) to Zn(i).

Authors: Griffin, LP; Aldridge, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Journal: Chemical Science
• Publication date: 2024-11-04
• Acceptance date: 2024-11-01
• DOI: 10.1039/d4sc06389a
• EISSN: 2041-6539
• ISSN: 2041-6520
• Language: English