Lutidine/B(C₆F₅)₃: At the Boundary of Classical and Frustrated Lewis Pair Reactivity

Abstract

Classical Lewis acid-base adducts, previously thought to be unreactive, can provide access to the unique reactivity of frustrated Lewis pairs. This was demonstrated with a mixture of 2,6-lutidine and B(C(6)F(5))(3) where an equilibrium affords the adduct and yet also effects the heterolytic activation of H(2) and the ring opening of THF.