A homoleptic cyanoborate with nucleophilic boron atom: An unprecedented dianion in the salts M2[B(CN)3] (M=Li, Na, K) with nucleophilic boron in the formal oxidation state +1 was obtained by reductive BC bond cleavage in the [B(CN)4]− anion and characterized by NMR (11B, 13C), vibrational spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffraction.

Diborane(6) dianions with substituents that are bonded to boron via carbon are very reactive and therefore only a few examples are known. Diborane(6) derivatives are the simplest catenated boron compounds with an electron-precise B-B σ-bond that are of fundamental interest and of relevance for material applications. The homoleptic hexacyanodiborane(6) dianion [B2 (CN)6 ](2-) that is chemically very robust is reported. The dianion is air-stable and resistant against boiling water and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. Its salts are thermally highly stable, for example, decomposition of (H3 O)2 [B2 (CN)6 ] starts at 200 °C. The [B2 (CN)6 ](2-) dianion is readily accessible starting from 1) B(CN)3 (2-) and an oxidant, 2) [BF(CN)3 ](-) and a reductant, or 3) by the reaction of B(CN)3 (2-) with [BHal(CN)3 ](-) (Hal=F, Br). The latter reaction was found to proceed via a triply negatively charged transition state according to an SN 2 mechanism.

Alkali metal tricyanoborates M2B(CN)3 (M = Na, K) are accessible by the reaction of tricyanofluoroborates with alkali metals (i) in liquid NH3 or (ii) in THF-naphthalene. The M2B(CN)3 are versatile starting materials for the synthesis of K[RB(CN)3] (R = Et, C6F5, CH2=CHCH2).