Contributions to the chemistry of boron. Part 160. A convenient synthesis of catecholatoborane and diborane
Abstract
Catecholatoborane is formed in high yield (> 75%) by ball milling NaBH4 and 2,2′-o-phenylene-dioxybis(1,3,2-benzodioxaborole) in diethyl ether in the presence of small amounts of LiCl. It also results quantitatively from the first two components in diglyme (MeOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OMe), but cannot be separated from the solvent. The reaction between NaBH4 and catecholatoborane or the o-phenylene compound in diglyme can also be used to prepare diborane in high yield.