A convenient route to mixed cationic group 13/14/15 compounds

The formation of novel cationic mixed main group compounds is reported revealing a chain composed of different elements of group 13, 14, and 15. Reactions of different pnictogenylboranes R2EBH2 center dot NMe3 (E = P, R = Ph, H; E = As, R = Ph, H) with the NHC-stabilized compound IDipp center dot GeH2BH2OTf (1) (IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidene) were carried out, yielding the novel cationic, mixed group 13/14/15 compounds [IDipp center dot GeH2BH2ER2BH2 center dot NMe3](+) (2a E = P; R = Ph; 2b E = As; R = Ph; 3a E = P; R = H; 3b E = As; R = H) by the nucleophilic substitution of the triflate (OTf) group. The products were analysed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and for 2a and 2b also by X-ray structure analysis. Further reactions of 1 with H2EBH2 center dot IDipp (E = P, As) resulted in the unprecedented parent complexes [IDipp center dot GeH2BH2EH2BH2 center dot IDipp][OTf] (5a E = P; 5b E = As), which were studied by X-ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Accompanying DFT computations give insight into the stability of the formed products with respect to their decomposition.

Automated summary

The study reports the formation of novel cationic mixed main group compounds composed of elements from groups 13, 14, and 15. Reactions between pnictogenylboranes and the NHC-stabilized compound IDipp center dot GeH2BH2OTf resulted in the formation of cationic mixed group 13/14/15 compounds through the nucleophilic substitution of the triflate group. The products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray structure analysis.