Publication Date:
2019
Description:
〈p〉The coupling of two or more molecules of dinitrogen (N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) occurs naturally under the radiative conditions present in the ionosphere and may be achieved synthetically under ultrahigh pressure or plasma conditions. However, the comparatively low N–N single-bond enthalpy generally renders the catenation of the strongly triple-bonded N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 diatomic unfavorable and the decomposition of nitrogen chains a common reaction motif. Here, we report the surprising organoboron-mediated catenation of two N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molecules under near-ambient conditions to form a complex in which a [N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉]〈sup〉2–〈/sup〉 chain bridges two boron centers. The reaction entails reductive coupling of two hypovalent-boron-bound N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 units in a single step. Both this complex and a derivative protonated at both ends of the chain were characterized crystallographically.〈/p〉
Print ISSN:
0036-8075
Electronic ISSN:
1095-9203
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Computer Science
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
,
Physics
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