B−H Bond Activations in the Alkane Analogues H3B⋅PR3

Remarkable η1-borane complexes containing an unsupported M-H-B interaction and phosphane-stabilized boryl species have been prepared by Shimoi et al. by B−H bond activation involving the neutral alkane analogues H3B⋅PR3 (see reaction scheme). These findings support the proposed reaction trajectory for related C−H activation reactions, and also have a bearing on the metal-catalyzed alkane borylation of Hartwig et al. and the dehydropolymerization of H3B⋅PH2Ph discovered by Manners et al.