Reductive coupling and protonation leading to diboron corroles with a B-H-B bridge

Abstract

The reaction of PhBCl2 with free base triarylcorroles results in a spontaneous reduction to give diboron corrole complexes (PhBHBPh)(Cor) in which a proton has been captured to form a bridging B-H-B group encapsulated within the corrole ligand. The proposed mechanism is supported by the reaction of PhBF2 with H3Cor to give (PhBF)(BPh)(Cor) in which no reduction has occurred. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.