Isolation of Fluorescent 2π-Aromatic 1,3-Disiladiboretenes

Abstract

Herein, we reported the isolation of 2π-aromatic disiladiboretenes (L₂Si₂B₂Ph₂) [L = ArC(N^<i>t</i>Bu)₂, Ar = Ph (<b>1</b>), Mes (<b>2</b>)], which have been synthesized from the straightforward reduction of silylene-borane adducts (LSiX → BX₂Ph) [X = Cl, Br] with potassium graphite (KC₈). X-ray diffraction analysis of <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> revealed that the Si₂B₂ units are completely planar, and DFT calculations suggested delocalization of 2π-electrons over the Si₂B₂ rings. Moreover, their photophysical properties and reactivity toward sulfur were also investigated in detail.