Method for the synthesis of tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane
AssigneeBaylor University
InventorsCALEB MARTIN, MANJUR OYASIM AKRAM
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Abstract
The described process synthesizes a halide-free single-site borane compound product tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane, or BoCb3. BoCb3 has Lewis superacid properties. The compounds, BoCb3, are thermally stable, and not reactive towards oxygen, but are sensitive to water. The characteristic high fluoride ion affinity is further translated to the catalytic C—F bond activation reactions of the unactivated alkyl fluorides towards the reduction and C—C bond forming reactions with silanes, and Fridel-Crafts type reactions with arenes. The potential of the synthesized Lewis acid as a catalysis is anticipated.
Claims15
A chemical compound, comprising:
- a Lewis acid having general formula BoCb3, further comprising:
- an ortho-carborane structure oCb having general formula oC2B10H12, wherein said Lewis acid comprises three (3) of said ortho-carborane structures oCb3;
- and
- a central boron atom B;
- wherein said BoCb3 molecule is of trigonal planar geometry with said central boron atom B at the center of said trigonal planar geometry and each of said ortho-carborane structures oCb at a branch of said trigonal planar geometry;
- and
- wherein all oCb-B-oCb bond angles are approximately 120°.
The process of synthesizing tris(ortho-carborane)borane (BoCb3), comprising:
- first treating oCbH with 1.0 equivalent of nBuLi, C7H8, wherein the temperature is in a range of −78° C. to 23° C., and wherein said first treating step is continued for 10 hours or more to obtain a resultant;
- and
- second treating said resultant with 0.33 mol equivalent BX3, wherein X is Cl or Br, wherein the temperature range is in a range of −78° C. to 23° C., and wherein said second treating step is continued for 4 days or more.
A method of promoting catalytic reactions, comprising adding tris(ortho-carborane)borane (BoCb3) to a reaction, wherein said reaction is one (1) of olefin polymerization or bond activation reactions to access useful chemicals from abundant feedstocks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.