Abstract:
Matrix isolation techniques enable generation and isolation of reactive intermediates which usually cannot be detected under conventional laboratory conditions. This thesis is mainly focused on investigation of boron containing compounds using the matrix isolation technique, and is based on three main projects.
1. Matrix isolation of 1,2-azaborinine: 1,2-Azaborinine, the BN analogue of ortho-benzyne, could be generated and isolated by matrix isolation techniques and characterized by IR spectroscopy. A strong Lewis acidic character at the boron center was predicted by computational chemistry and could be supported by the spontaneous reaction with dinitrogen under matrix isolation conditions.
To identify the byproducts, which are formed during the generation of 1,2-azaborinine, possible isomerization and fragmentation pathways were investigated by computational chemistry techniques.
2. Dewar valence isomer of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborinine: The photochemistry of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborinine derivatives was investigated in cryogenic matrices and in solution at room temperature. In both media, full conversion exclusively to the Dewar valence isomer was found upon irradiation with UV light. This reaction was observed to be thermally reversible and activation parameters were determined. Changing the wavelength of the UV light results into cycloreversion of the Dewar compound to cyclobutadien and the corresponding iminoborane.
3. Reactions of Phenyl borylene: Borylenes are analogues of carbenes and nitrenes. In contrast to carbenes and nitrenes little is known about borylenes. In this study the reactivity of phenyl borylene was investigated towards dinitrogen and carbon monoxide under matrix isolation conditions using various spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV and ESR).