Synthesis and Trapping of Iminoboranes by M=B/C=N Bond Metathesis

Although the metathesis of metal-boron double bonds with elemental chalcogenides is an established process, no similar reactivity has been observed with element-nitrogen bonds. Such a reaction would provide a new route to iminoborane compounds (RB equivalent to NR'), which have recently experienced renewed synthetic interest. Herein, we present the first observation of M=B/C=N metathesis reactions, which led to the isolation of a stable iminoborane in addition to further iminoborane cycloaddition products.