Synthesis and Investigation of Bis(alkynyl)boranes – Coordination Chemistry and Beyond

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Qing Ye
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 517941121

Bis(alkynyl)boranes have been discovered more than half a century ago. However, exploration of the reactivity of this class of compounds is still in its infancy. Most remarkably, the application of bis(alkynyl)boranes as ligands for d-, and f-block elements remains almost unexplored. Our preliminary work demonstrated that bis(alkynyl)boranes can indeed serve as a new class of boron-containing π-acyclic ligands, which have shown three different coordination modes so far. The bis(alkynyl)borane complexes have shown great potential in reaction chemistry. For instance, we managed to convert bis(alkynyl)borane complexes to various BN-9,1-naphthalenes for the first time. Based on the promising initial results, our project focuses on the fundamental understanding of the coordination chemistry and the development of applications of bis(alkynyl)borane complexes. A "toolbox" of bis(alkynyl)boranes will be created. transmetalation, or one-pot reduction, and fully characterized using state-of-the-art spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques. Bonding analysis and computational mechanistic studies will be performed. With an enlarged group of bis(alkynyl)borane complexes on hand, the influence of the electronic and steric effect of bis(alkynyl)borane and other co-ligands, as well as the type and oxidation state of the metal center on bonding and reactivity will be assessed. The complexes will be further developed to give an avenue to the novel BN-9,1-naphthalenes and bis-BN-anthracenes as promising components for optoelectronic materials, and a series of novel BN-indole and BN-benzofuran derivatives as potential pharmacophores.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants