Frustrated Lewis pairs comprised of a basic yet sterically encumbered phosphine with boron Lewis acids bind nitrous oxide to give intact PNNOB linkages. The synthesis, structure, and bonding of these species are described.

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The reaction of a solution of B(C6F4H)3 and either iPr3P or tBu3P with CO2 afforded the species R3P(CO2)B(C6F4H)3 (R=iPr (1), tBu (2)). In a similar fashion the boranes, RB(C6F5)2 (R=hexyl, cyclohexyl (Cy), norbornyl), ClB(C6F5)2, or PhB(C6F5)2 were combined with tBu3P and CO2 to give the species tBu3P(CO2)BR(C6F5)2 (R=hexyl (3), Cy (4), norbornyl (5), Cl (6), Ph (7)). Similarly, the compounds [tBu3PH][RBH(C6F5)2] (R= hexyl (8), Cy (9), norbornyl (10)) were prepared by reaction of the precursor frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) with H2. Subsequent reactions of 9 and 10 with CO2 afforded the species [((C6F5)2BR)2(μ-HCO2)][tBu3PH] (R= Cy (11), norbornyl (12)). In related chemistry, combinations of the boranes RBG(C6F5)2 (R=hexyl, Cy, norbornyl) with tBu3P treated with an equivalent of formic acid gave [(C6F5)2BR(HCO2)][tBu3PH] (R=hexyl (13), Cy (14), norbornyl (15)). Subsequent addition of an additional equivalent of borane provides a second synthetic route to 11 and 12. Crystallographic studies of compounds 2-6 and 8-14 are reported and discussed. Further understanding of the FLP complexation and activation of CO2 is provided by computational studies.

The impact of substituent changes on phosphorus and boron-containing frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) has been examined. The phosphites (RO)(3)P R = Me, Ph form classical Lewis acid-base adducts of the formula (RO)(3)PB(C(6)F(5))(3) R = Me ; R = Ph , whereas P(O-2,4-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3))(3) and P(O-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(3) generate FLPs. Nonetheless, these latter combinations do not react with H(2). The more basic phosphinite tBu(2)POR, R = tBu reacts with B(C(6)F(5))(3) to give (tBu(2)(H)PO)B(C(6)F(5))(3). The related species tBu(2)POR, R = Ph ; 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) showed no reaction with B(C(6)F(5))(3) but the FLPs react under H(2) (4 atm) to give [tBu(2)P(OR)H][HB(C(6)F(5))(3)] R = Ph and 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3). Similarly, tBu(2)PCl in combination with B(C(6)F(5))(3), generates an FLP that upon addition of H(2), gives [tBu(2)PH(2)][ClB(C(6)F(5))(3)] albeit in low yield. The diborane 1,4-(C(6)F(5))(2)B(C(6)F(4))B(C(6)F(5))(2) in combination with either tBu(3)P or (C(6)H(2)Me(3))(3)P generates FLPs that react with H(2) to give [R(3)PH](2)[1,4-(C(6)F(5))(2)HB(C(6)F(4))BH(C(6)F(5))(2)] (R = tBu , C(6)H(2)Me(3)). Similarly PhB(C(6)F(5))(2) and tBu(3)P react with H(2) giving [tBu(3)PH][HBPh(C(6)F(5))(2)] . The combination of B(OC(6)F(5))(3) and PtBu(3) also generate an FLP which reacts with H(2) to give [HPtBu(3)][B(OC(6)F(5))(4)] , the product of substituent redistribution. The boronic esters, (C(6)H(4)O(2))BC(6)F(5), (C(6)H(3)FO(2))BC(6)F(5) and (C(6)F(4)O(2))BC(6)F(5), and the borate esters B(OC(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2))(3), B(OC(6)H(2)F(3))(3) and B(OC(6)H(4)CF(3))(3) were prepared and shown to generate FLPs with tBu(3)P or (C(6)H(2)Me(3))(3)P. Nonetheless, no reaction with H(2) was observed for . Collectively these data suggest that there is a threshold of combined Lewis acidity and basicity that is required to effect the splitting of H(2).