A bit borane: Silicon-functionalized dibenzosilaborins were prepared by intramolecular B-H/C-H dehydrogenative cyclization of o-(silyl)(hydroboryl)benzenes. The hydrosilyl derivative (X=H) can be converted into the fluorosilane (X=F) and chlorosilane (X=Cl). UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra are influenced by the functional groups X on the silicon atom through σ*-π* conjugation.

A new pentacene-type silaborin, in which three benzene rings are bridged by silicon and boron atoms, has been synthesized and characterized by using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The precursor, 1,4-bis(dimesitylboryl)-2,5-bis(phenylsilyl)benzene (4), was prepared by stepwise introduction of a silyl group and a boryl group to a benzene ring starting from 1,4-dibromobenzene. Double cyclization of 4 proceeds by a H-Mes exchange and a B-H/C-H dehydrogenative condensation to afford pentacene-type silaborin 5. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that 5 adopts a bent structure rather than a planar one. UV/Vis spectra and DFT calculations for 5 reveal a lowering of the LUMO energy level compared with corresponding anthracene-type 3.

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