Borenes

Borenes are a class of organic compounds that contain a boron atom bonded to three carbon atoms, forming a planar trigonal structure. This structural motif is analogous to that of alkenes, where a carbon-carbon double bond is replaced by a boron-carbon triple bond. Borenes are typically classified into two main categories: borirens and boroles.

Borirens are borenes that contain a boron atom bonded to three carbon atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement, with the fourth valence electron of boron delocalized into an aromatic π-system. The most well-known example is diborabenzene, which features two boron atoms in a planar arrangement, each bonded to three carbon atoms, and exhibits aromatic stability.

Boroles, on the other hand, are borenes that contain a boron atom bonded to two carbon atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement, with the remaining two valence electrons of boron forming a σ-bond with a hydrogen atom or another boron atom. Boroles can be further classified into two subclasses: boroles and borabenzene derivatives. Boroles are typically more reactive than borirens due to the presence of the σ-bonded hydrogen or boron atom.

Borenes have attracted significant interest in the field of organometallic chemistry due to their unique electronic structure and potential applications in materials science, catalysis, and organic synthesis. The synthesis of borenes often involves the use of transition metal catalysts or the reaction of boranes with unsaturated hydrocarbons. The study of borenes continues to be an active area of research, with ongoing efforts focused on the development of new synthetic methods and the exploration of their chemical and physical properties.