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Because of the ubiquity of fluoride ions and their potential toxicity at high doses, researchers would like to design receptors that selectively detect this anion. Fluoride is found in drinking water, toothpaste, and osteoporosis drugs. In addition, fluoride ions also can be detected as an indicator of uranium enrichment (via hydrolysis of UF6) or of the chemical warfare agent sarin, which releases the ion upon hydrolysis. However, because of its high hydration enthalpy, the fluoride anion is one of the most challenging targets for anion recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of [Li(THF)4][1,8-μ-(Mes2B)C10H6] with HgCl2 affords [1,1′-(Hg)-[8-(Mes2B)C10H6]2] (3) or [1-(ClHg)-8-(Mes2B)C10H6] (4), depending on the stoichiometry of the reagents. These two new compounds have been characterized by 1H, 13C, 11B and 199Hg NMR, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammogram of 3 in THF shows two distinct waves observed at E1/2 −2.31 V and −2.61 V, corresponding to the sequential reductions of the two boron centers. Fluoride titration experiments monitored by electrochemistry suggest that 3 binds tightly to one fluoride anion and more loosely to a second one. Theses conclusions have been confirmed by a UV-vis titration experiment which indicates that the first fluoride binding constant (K1) is greater than 108 M−1 while the second (K2) equals 5.2 (± 0.4) × 103 M−1. The fluoride binding properties of 3 have been compared to those of [1-(Me2B)-8-(Mes2B)C10H6] (1) and [1-((2,6-Me2-4-Me2NC6H2)Hg)-8-(Mes2B)C10H6] (2). Both experimental and computational results indicate that its affinity for fluoride anions is comparable to that of 2 but significantly lower than that of the diborane 1. In particular, the fluoride binding constants of 1, 2 and 3 in chloroform are respectively equal to 5.0 (± 0.2) × 105 M−1, 1.0 (± 0.2) × 103 M−1 and 1.7 (± 0.1) × 103 M−1. Determination of the crystal structures of the fluoride adducts [S(NMe2)3][1–μ2-F] and [S(NMe2)3][3–μ2-F] along with computational results indicate that the higher fluoride binding constant of 1 arises from a strong chelate effect involving two fluorophilic boron centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While we have previously reported that [1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6]+ ([2]+) complexes fluoride ions to form [1-(Mes2FB)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-F), we now show that this cationic borane also complexes cyanide to form [1-(Mes2(NC)B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-CN). This reaction also occurs under biphasic conditions (H2O–CHCl3) and may serve to transport cyanide in organic phases. The zwitterionic cyanoborate 2-CN has been fully characterized and its crystal structure determined. UV-vis titration experiments carried out in THF indicate that [2]+ has a higher affinity for fluoride (K > 108 M−1) than cyanide (K = 8.0 (±0.5) × 105 M−1). Steric effects which impede cyanide binding to the sterically congested boron center of [2]+ are most likely at the origin of this selectivity. Finally, electrochemical studies indicate that [2]+ is significantly more electrophilic than its neutral precursor 1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me2NCH2)-(C10H6) (1). These studies also show that reduction of [2]+ is irreversible, possibly because of elimination of the NMe3 moiety under reductive conditions. In fact, [2]OTf reacts with NaBH4 to afford 1-(Mes2B)-8-(CH3)-(C10H6) (4) which has also been fully characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic quenching of a carbene-stabilized π-boryl anion with the Brønsted acid Et3NHCI provides a convenient synthetic route to the parent NHC-stabiized 1-hydroborole, which isomerizes to the corresponding 3-hydroborole via two successive nondegenerate [1,5]-sigmatropic hydrogen migrations. Molecular structures of both isomers have been determined by X-ray crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mes 2BF and Ar N2BF (Ar N= 4-(Me 2N)-2,6-Me 2-C 6H 2) react with trimethylsilyltriflate and p-dimethylaminopyridine in chlorobenzene to afford the corresponding borenium salts [Mes 2B-DMAP] +OTf −([ 1] +OTf −) and [Ar N2B-DMAP] +OTf −([ 2] +OTf −), which have been fully characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on addressing the question that whether the introduction of multiple cationic groups would have additive effects on the electron deficiency and Lewis acidity of the boron center. A synthesis and study of cationic analogues of trimesitylborane. It concluded that the electron deficiency and Lewis acidity of triarylboranes can be incrementally enhanced through pripheral decoration of the aryl ligands with cationic groups.