An ongoing theme in anion complexation chemistry is the investigation of bidentate Lewis acids for fluoride anion sensing. Inspired by a rich collection of diboranes and distannanes which have been shown to form B-F-B and Sn-F-Sn chelate complexes, respectively, we recently decided to investigate antimony-based bidentate Lewis acids. In particular, we recently reported a distiborane based on the 9,9-dimethylxanthenediyl backbone and demonstrated its ability to complex fluoride anion in organic solvents as well as water.1 Encouraged by these results, we have now decided to investigate new platforms that show an even higher affinity for fluoride anions. In this presentation, we will introduce the synthesis and characterization of distiboranes based on ortho-phenylene backbones. We will also show that these bidentate Lewis display unparalleled anion affinities.

Distiboranes based on ortho-phenylene backbones: Synthesis and anion binding

251st National Meeting (2016)

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