Application of a nucleophilic boryl complex in the frustrated Lewis pair: activation of H-H, B-H and C=C bonds with B(C6F5)(3) and boryl-borate lithium

The frustrated Lewis pair comprised of B(C6F5)(3) and a boryl-borate lithium salt Li[pinBB(Ph)pin] can efficiently activate dihydrogen, pinacolborane and ethylene at ambient temperature. Theoretical studies suggest that the nucleophilic sp(2) boryl moiety of Li[pinBB(Ph)pin] plays different roles in these reactions.