The complexation of tetraphenylborate with organic N-heteroaromatic cations

Complexation studies of eleven N-heteroaromatic cations with tetraphenylborate are reported. Tetraphenylborate forms complexes with five cations and reacts to form Lewis-base boranes with six cations. The complexes and the displacement reaction products were characterised by 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and crystallographic methods. In the complexes C–H⋯π or N–H⋯π hydrogen bonds are the principal intermolecular interactions. The stability constants for the complexes are determined by 1H NMR titration in acetonitrile–methanol (1 ∶ 1) solution. Crystal structures of four of the complexes and three of the Lewis-base triphenylborane products are reported.