Boranes and borohydrides

Welcome to this themed issue of Dalton Transactions focusing on the chemistry of boranes and borohydrides. Such systems have contributed in a major way to a number of key themes in contemporary chemistry, notably in the activation of dihydrogen and other small molecules under metal-free conditions, and in the storage of the H₂ molecule for energy related applications. This timely collective volume brings together manuscripts from key contributors to these and other topical fields.

Over twenty manuscripts are included, encompassing both molecular and extended materials, experimental and quantum chemical approaches, and with applications in fields spanning the functionalization of organic molecules, polymer synthesis/catalysis, sensing and supramolecular assembly. Fundamental studies probing the Lewis acidic properties of boranes and their photo-physical behaviour (e.g. in the contributions from Gabbaï, Ashley, Yamaguchi and Wang) feature prominently, as do studies of the interaction of B–H containing systems with both main group and transition metals (e.g. manuscripts from Hill, Sabo-Etienne, Wagner and Kasai). Topically, hydrogen storage by borane containing materials is a theme of work from Liu, Autrey, Borgshulte, Zhao and co-workers, while frustrated Lewis pair systems, not unnaturally, are further developed in contributions from Stephan and Erker.

All-in-all, this issue serves to highlight not only the quality and breadth of work currently taking place, but also the novel approaches taken by scientists working in this field to solving problems with major societal impact.

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