Push and pull: the potential role of boron in N2 activation

Abstract

Recent developments in main group chemistry towards the activation and conversion of N₂ have lead to the revelation that boron can greatly affect these processes. Boron is capable of acting both as a borane Lewis acid to activate metal–N₂ complexes and as an ambiphilic borylene able to activate free N₂. The latter example is capable of both accepting and donating electron density in a manner reminiscent of transition metal systems containing both filled and empty d-orbitals.