Formation of (BH3)2- and (B2H6)2- from the homogeneous reduction of B2H6

11B NMR studies of the reduction of B2H6 by alkali metal naphthalides reveal the stepwise formation of two discrete, stable intermediates, (BH3)2- and (B2H6)2-, during the reduction to final products (B3H8)- and (BH4)-. IGLO calculations enable the prediction of 11B NMR chemical shifts of (BH3)2- and (B2H6)2-, and are compared with experimental data. IR and X-ray powder diffraction studies suggest the formation of a minor product, M(BH4).