Catalytic B–C Coupling by Si/B Exchange: A Versatile Route to π-Conjugated Organoborane Molecules, Oligomers, and Polymers

Conjugated organoboranes have emerged as attractive hybrid materials for optoelectronic applications. Herein, a highly efficient, environmentally benign catalytic B–C bond formation method is presented that uses organosilicon compounds, dibromoboranes, and the metal-free organocatalyst Me 3 SiNTf 2 . This Si/B exchange approach has been successfully applied to the synthesis of arylborane molecules 4a – c, oligomers 8a, b, and polymers 8a′, b′ . Photophysical investigations, supported by TD-DFT calculations, reveal highly effective π-conjugation in thienyl- and furylborane species; the latter are also highly emissive.