Evidence for a boride–borylene-ligand-tautomerism leading to a remote C–C-bond and concomitant boryl ligand formation

Abstract

A rhodium PBP-type pincer complex with boron-based donor ligand of the type Py2BH (Py = pyridine) and its deprotonation is reported, which led to a boryl complex under concomitant formation of a new C—C-bond. Mechanistic investigations indicate the presence of a tautomerism between two deprotonated species, giving rise to a ligand-stabilized boride and a ligand-stabilized borylene motif.