FLP-CO2 adducts: convenient sources of frustrated Lewis pairs for stoichiometric and catalytic chemistry

Abstract

The compounds [tBu₃PCO₂B(C₆F₅)₃] 1 and [TMPH][C₅H₆Me₄NCO₂B(C₆F₅)₃] 7 are easily handled synthons releasing CO₂ on warming generating the corresponding FLPs which can activate H₂, disulfides, alkynes, silanes and phenols. Compound 7 was also shown to be an effective FLP catalyst precursor for the hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of imines, electron deficient olefins, and ketones while less effective for electron-rich olefins. The advantages and limitations of this approach are considered.