Please select the desired project time frame:

• July 2026
• January 2026
• July 2025
• January 2025
• July 2024
• January 2024
• July 2023
• January 2023
• July 2022
• January 2022
• July 2021
• January 2021
• July 2020
• January 2020
• July 2019
• January 2019
• July 2018
• January 2018
• July 2017
• January 2017
• July 2016
• January 2016
• July 2015
• January 2015
• July 2014
• January 2014
• July 2013
• January 2013
• July 2012
• January 2012
• July 2011
• January 2011
• July 2010
• January 2010
• July 2009
• January 2009
• July 2008
• January 2008
• July 2007
• January 2007
• July 2006
• January 2006
• July 2005
• January 2005
• July 2004
• January 2004
• July 2003
• January 2003
• July 2002
• January 2002
• July 2001
• January 2001

Start of funding 01.01.2024

Tetrahedral BP3 – a Boron-Centred Molecular Lewis Superacid

---

Modern society strongly relies on industrial processes efficiently implementing abundant small molecules such as H₂, CO, CO₂, and N₂ as fundamental atomic building blocks into everyday products. While traditionally transition metals are involved as catalysts at some point or the other, recent decades have unraveled the potential of certain main group elements to accomplish this task, as well. In this regard, the element boron has proven particularly versatile by exploiting (i) the unique electronic properties of subvalent molecular species (e.g. borylenes, diborynes, diborenes, etc.) or (ii) the intrinsic electron-deficiency of the boron nucleus and the Lewis-acidic nature of classical three-coordinate boranes. For the latter, it has been shown quite convincingly that fine-tuning is possible to some extent, and that enhancing the Lewis-acidity usually comes along with a higher degree of reactiity. The present project tackles this specific feature, and will attempt to push it to the very limits of Lewis superacidity. We try to achieve this goal by carefully manipulating the geometry of the borane center by introducing a rigid phosphorus-based P₃ ligand environment. We thus try to eventually generate the simple hypothetical molecular boron species BP₃, and to study its composition and properties in great detail. Initial quantum-chemical calculations have already confirmed the anticipated Lewis superacidity of BP₃ by means of standardized theoretical protocols (fia fluoride ion affinity). The calculations also suggest the existence of adducts with various Lewis donors (SMe₂, NHC, CO, N₂) of stunning stability, potentially even allowing for the realization of hitherto unknown boron-noble gas donor-acceptor compounds.

Final report:
The present project “Tetrahedral BP₃ – a Boron-Centred Molecular Lewis Superacid” funded by BaCaTeC was initiated to establish a close scientific collaboration between the Braunschweig (JMU Würzburg) and Figueroa (UCSD) research groups. Funds were initially used to finance the research stay of a visiting scientist from JMU Würzburg in the chemical labs at UCSD for several weeks. The primary goal was to combine the expertises of both research groups in boron (JMU) and phosphorus chemistry (UCSD), respectively, aiming at the synthesis of BP₃, an unprecedented boron-centered, molecular Lewis superacid. However, despite all experimental efforts this molecule has eluded any kind of realization thus far; we have not unveiled any evidence for the existence of this unusual structural motif, both in free or coordinated form. Nevertheless, the time was used effectively for intensive scientific exchange and the development of future joint projects, whereby a long-term cooperation between the two working groups could be established.