The coupling of two or more molecules of dinitrogen (N2) 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 N2diatomic unfavorable and the decomposition of nitrogen chains a common reaction motif. Here, we report the surprising organoboron-mediated catenation of two N2molecules under near-ambient conditions to form a complex in which a [N4]2–chain bridges two boron centers. The reaction entails reductive coupling of two hypovalent-boron-bound N2units in a single step. Both this complex and a derivative protonated at both ends of the chain were characterized crystallographically.

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The one-electron reduction of a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC)-stabilized arylborylene carbonyl complex yields a dimeric borylketyl radical anion, resulting from an intramolecular aryl migration to the CO carbon atom. Computational analyses support the existence of a [(CAAC)B(CO)Ar] •radical anion intermediate. Further reduction leads to a highly nucleophilic dianionic (boraneylidene)methanolate.

We report a detailed computational and experimental study of the fixation and reductive coupling of dinitrogen with low-valent boron compounds. Consistent with our mechanistic findings, the selectivity toward nitrogen fixation or coupling can be controlled through either steric bulk or the reaction conditions, allowing for the on-demand synthesis of nitrogen chains. The electronic structure and intriguing magnetic properties of intermediates and products of the reaction of dinitrogen with borylenes are also elucidated using high-level computational approaches.

Bei der Einelektronenreduktion eines durch eine cyclisches (Alkyl)(amino)carben (CAAC) stabilisierten Arylborylen‐Carbonylkomplexes erfolgt die Bildung eines dimeren Borylketyl‐Radikalanions, bedingt durch eine intramolekulare Arylmigration zum CO Kohlenstoffatom. Computergestützte Analyse liefert Hinweise auf eine radikalanionische [(CAAC)B(CO)Ar].− Zwischenstufe. Weiterführende Reduktion des entstandenen Komplexes liefert ein hoch nukleophiles (Boranyliden)methanolat.