Synthesis and Reactions of Phosphine–Methylsulfonyloxyborane Complexes

Functionalizations of the boranato group of phosphine–boranes have been investigated. Trimethylphosphine–borane readily reacted with methanesulfonic acid in dichloromethane with evolution of hydrogen. The resulting trimethylphosphine–methylsulfonyloxyborane was subjected to nucleophilic substitution reaction on the boron atom with arenethiols or secondary phosphine–boranes in the presence of NaH. The reactivities of the substitution products obtained were also investigated. A new phosphine–borane having a P–B–P–B–P–B–P–B bond linkage was synthesized.