Mechanisms in Frustrated Lewis Pair-Catalyzed Reactions

Abstract

This review summarizes the principle reaction mechanisms of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) in hydrogenations and carbon–nitrogen and carbon–carbon bond forming reactions. The fundamental mechanism of hydrogen activation by FLPs is reviewed and the influence of the FLP's nature on hydrogenation reactions is discussed, leading to a structure-reactivity relationship in phosphine/borane or amine/borane derived FLPs. This reactivity concept is validated for a series of FLP-catalyzed reactions. Furthermore, alternative reaction mechanisms e.g. protodeborylations or σ-bond metathesis are discussed.