Synthesis of tetraarylborates via tetralithio intermediates and the effect of polar functional groups and cations on their crystal structures

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/C8DT04068K

A novel general protocol for the preparation of functionalized (COOH, CHO, C(O)NHtBu, B(OH)₂) tetraphenyl- and tetrakis(4′-biphenylyl)borates is reported. It involves four-fold halogen-lithium exchange in potassium tetrakis(iodophenyl)borates and tetrakis(4′-bromobiphenylyl)borate) using t-BuLi in THF at ?78 °C followed by treatment of the resulting tetralithio intermediates with electrophiles (CO₂, DMF, t-BuNCO, B(OMe)₃). X-ray crystal structures of ammonium tetrakis[4-(dihydroxyboryl)phenyl]borate, lithium tetrakis(3-carboxyphenyl)borate, and lithium tetrakis[4-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl]borate were determined showing a strong effect of the cation and polar functional group on supramolecular architecture.