Journal of the American Chemical Society · 2008 · 303 citations · 30 references
Natural SciencesChemistryComputational ChemistryInorganic ChemistryQuantum ChemistryCarbene ComplexesHeterocyclic ChemistryHydrogen AtomMolecular BondingRadical ReactionsCarbene Complex ReactivityCarbene Coordination ChemistryElectronic Structure Of Carbene ComplexesHydrogen Atom TransferLigand Electronic EffectsMetal Hydrides
Calculations suggest that complexes of borane with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) have B-H bond dissocation energies more then 20 kcal/mol less than free borane, diborane, borane-THF, and related complexes. Values are in the range of popular radical hydrogen atom donors like tin hydrides (70-80 kcal/mol). The resulting prediction that NHC borane complexes could be used as radical hydrogen atom donors was verified by radical deoxygenations of xanthates by using either AIBN or triethylborane as initiator.
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