Boranes and Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Searching for New Reactions

The talk will focus on some selected advances in main group element chemistry. The unusual reactions of “frustrated Lewis pairs” (FLPs) are presented and discussed. These pairs are, for instance, composed of phosphane/borane combinations whose molecular design effectively hinders them to undergo the usual neutralization reaction by Lewis adduct formation. FLPs may undergo metal reminiscent small molecule activation reactions – this is illustrated by their heterolytic dihydrogen splitting ability and use in metal-free catalytic hydrogenation. A variety of additional FLP small molecule reactions will be presented. In addition, some specially designed borane reactions will be discussed, including selective borole and borapyramidane formation.