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Title: C=O Scission and Reductive Coupling of Organic Carbonyls by a Redox-Active Diboraanthracene
The boron-centered reactivity of the diboraanthracene-auride complex ([Au(B2P2)][K(18-c-6)]; (B2P2, 9,10-bis(2-(diisopropylphosphino)- phenyl)-9,10-dihydroboranthrene) with a series of organic carbonyls is reported. The reaction of [(B2P2)Au]– with formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde results in a head-to-tail dimerization of two formaldehyde units across the boron centers. In contrast, the reaction of [(B2P2)Au]– with two equivalents of benzaldehyde yields the pinacol coupling product via C–C bond formation. Careful stoichiometric addition of one equivalent of benzaldehyde to [Au(B2P2)]– enabled the isolation of an adduct corresponding to the formal [4+2] cycloaddition of the C=O bond of benzaldehyde across the boron centers. This adduct reacts with a second equivalent of benzaldehyde to produce the pinacol coupling product. Finally, the reaction of [Au(B2P2)]– with acetone results in a formal reductive deoxygenation with discrete hydroxo and 2-propenyl units bound to the boron centers. This reaction is proposed to proceed via an analogous [4+2] cycloadduct, highlighting the unique small molecule activation chemistry available to this platform.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1752876
PAR ID:
10139732
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Chemical Communications
ISSN:
1359-7345
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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