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The Lewis superacid, bis(1‐methyl‐ortho‐carboranyl)borane, is rapidly accessed in two steps. It is a very effective hydroboration reagent capable of B−H addition to alkenes, alkynes, and cyclopropanes. To date, this is the first identified Lewis superacidic secondary borane and most reactive neutral hydroboration reagent.

 

The Lewis superacid, bis(1‐methyl‐ortho‐carboranyl)borane, is rapidly accessed in two steps. It is a very effective hydroboration reagent capable of B−H addition to alkenes, alkynes, and cyclopropanes. To date, this is the first identified Lewis superacidic secondary borane and most reactive neutral hydroboration reagent.

 

The stoichiometric reactions of antimony trichloride, trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, and diiminopyridine ligands lead to the formation of N , N ′, N ′′-chelated SbCl 2 cationic complexes. Methyl and phenyl substituents on the imine carbons of the ligand yielded structures with a lone pair on antimony and the hydrogen substituted variant was notably different as it forms a Menshutkin complex with meta -xylene in the solid-state. 

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 ofortho‐carborane and lack of pi‐delocalization of the LUMO rationalize the unusually high Lewis acidity. Catalytic studies indicate that BoCb₃is a superior catalyst for promoting C−F bond functionalization reactions than tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C₆F₅)₃].

 

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 ofortho‐carborane and lack of pi‐delocalization of the LUMO rationalize the unusually high Lewis acidity. Catalytic studies indicate that BoCb₃is a superior catalyst for promoting C−F bond functionalization reactions than tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C₆F₅)₃].