A Landmark Study on Boron Insertion into Nitrogen Bonds Unveils New Potentials in Material Science
In a remarkable advancement facilitated by the collaborative environment of KAIROS at the University of Kent, Felipe Fantuzzi alongside Holger Braunschweig from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, has led a pivotal study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The paper, titled “Boron Insertion into the N≡N Bond of a Tungsten Dinitrogen Complex,” introduces innovative methodologies in the activation of nitrogen and manipulation of boron, elements critical to various scientific applications.
The research highlights a novel chemical transformation involving the 1,3-addition of 1,2-diaryl-1,2-dibromodiboranes to a tungsten dinitrogen complex . This process intriguingly includes a Br–Ar (Ar = aryl) substituent exchange between the boron atoms, followed by an intricate rearrangement leading to the formation of a tungsten diboranyldiazenido complex. This complex subsequently transforms into a 2-aza-1,3-diboraallenylimido complex, characterised by a unique linear, cumulenic B=N=B structure.
Through detailed density functional theory calculations, the team demonstrated that the reaction proceeds through a cyclic NB2 intermediate. This intermediate breaks down into a tungsten nitrido complex and a linear boryliminoborane, which then recombine to form a distinctively structured adduct. The linear B=N=B component of this molecule notably undergoes further reaction with Brønsted acids (HY = HOPh, HSPh, H2NPh), facilitating a Y–Br substituent exchange at the terminal boron atom. This results in the formation of cationic (borylamino)borylimido tungsten complexes.
This study not only expands the horizons of boron and nitrogen chemistry but also sets a precedent for future research in catalysis and advanced materials. The implications for industrial applications and material design are profound, presenting new avenues for developing more efficient and sustainable materials.
The successful outcome of this research underlines the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration within KAIROS, emphasising the initiative’s commitment to fostering innovation that transcends traditional boundaries of science. This project is just one example of how KAIROS is driving forward our understanding of complex chemical processes, with potential impacts that resonate far beyond the realms of academia.
To explore the full details of this groundbreaking study, access the research article by Dr. Felipe Fantuzzi, Prof. Holger Braunschweig, and their team here.