Exploring the Chemistry of Borynes – the Final First-Row Main-Group Triple Bond Species

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Holger Braunschweig
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 571683256

Of all of the first-row p-block elements that can conceivably form one bonding and two bonding interactions, until very recently all combinations had been realised in neutral molecules except one: the B–C triple bond. This gap was filled in March 2025 by our report of the synthesis of a neutral boryne bearing a B–C triple bond. This project aims to fully explore the synthetic chemistry of this new class of molecules, by comprehensively testing the scope of their synthesis, structures, and reactivity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants