Facile Insertion of Rh and Ir into a Boron-Phenyl Bond, Leading to Boryl/Bis(phosphine) PBP Pincer Complexes.

The unexpectedly facile insertion of Rh or Ir into a B-Ph bond (reversible for Rh) converts a borane/bis(phosphine) precursor into a boryl/bis-(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand. Interconversions between the boryl/borane/borate central functionality are demonstrated in reactions with dihydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]