Mechanisms in Frustrated Lewis Pair-Catalyzed Reactions

This review summarizes the principle reaction mechanisms of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) in hydrogenations and carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. The fundamental mechanism of hydrogen activation by FLPs is reviewed and the influence of the FLP's nature on hydrogenation reactions is discussed, leading to a structure-reactivity relationship in phosphine/borane or amine/borane derived FLPs. This reactivity concept is validated for a series of FLP-catalyzed reactions. Furthermore, alternative reaction mechanisms e.g. protodeborylations or sigma-bond metathesis are discussed.