Formation of a zwitterionic boronium species from the reaction of a stable carbenoid with borane: CO2 reduction

Abstract

The treatment of Li₂C(PPh₂NMes)₂ (1, Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) with hexachloroethane yielded the corresponding carbenoid 2 in good yields. The reactivity of 2 was studied with BH₃·SMe₂ to give a zwitterionic boronium species 4, also a stable carbenoid. Both carbenoid species were found to be excellent catalysts for the CO₂ reduction by BH₃·SMe₂.