Beryllium bis(diazaborolyl): old neighbors finally shake hands

Abstract

The synthesis of a linear beryllium bis(diazaborolyl) compound featuring the first non-cluster bond between boron and beryllium has been achieved through the reaction of Yamashita's lithium diazaborolide and BeCl₂. In accord with the established chemistry of beryllium, the bonding is polar covalent in character, as determined by structural and spectroscopic analysis, as well as reactivity studies.