Formation of N-heterocyclic, donor-stabilized borenium ions

Abstract

Cationic and zwitterionic boryl bromide species and a borenium–boryl bromide cation have been synthesised which represent new N-donor stabilised cationic boron compounds with β-diketiminate ligands. The unexpected borenium–boryl bromide results from a head-to-tail dimerisation of the corresponding zwitterionic boryl bromide accompanied by proton migration. The electronic nature of these new species was studied by DFT calculations.