Activation of H2 by phosphinoboranes R2PB(C6F5)2

Phosphinoboranes that combine bulky electron-rich phosphides and electron deficient B(C(6)F(5))(2) fragments produce monomeric phosphinoboranes that undergo facile addition of H(2) to give the phosphine-borane adducts (R(2)PH)(HBR'(2)). This finding in combination with DFT calculations shed light on the uptake of H(2) across a group 13-group 15 bond, a critical requirement for the development of recyclable H(2) storage materials.