2,6-Bis(diazaboryl)pyridine: A Superbasic Sterically Demanding Pyridine Ligand

Abstract

Herein a convenient one-pot route to a sterically demanding superbasic pyridine is presented. Functionalization of the 2- and 6-positions with the strongly σ-donating boryl-groups shifts the calculated gas phase basicity of the pyridine nitrogen atom to 1012 kJ mol^-1 , which outperforms the "proton sponge" 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (996 kJ mol^-1 ). The diazaboryl groups are oriented orthogonally to the pyridine ring and do not block the N-position, which resembles the geometry of commonly used N-heterocyclic carbenes. This allows the substituted pyridine to be used as a neutral N-donor ligand in coordination chemistry that is demonstrated herein with the Lewis adducts of haloboranes. Contrary to NHCs, which can form extraordinarily stable adducts, the pyridine ligand is intended to act as a weaker-coordinating alternative and could allow for alternative ligand chemistry.

Keywords: boron; main group chemistry; pyridine; superbase.