borylenes

Borylenes are a class of chemical compounds characterized by a boron atom in a unique electronic state, formally consisting of a boron center with a valence electron configuration that resembles a neutral boron atom with an additional electron. Unlike typical boron compounds, which usually involve boron in a three-coordinate, electron-deficient state, borylenes exhibit a monovalent, highly reactive nature with a lone pair of electrons and an unpaired electron.

Borylenes can be viewed as the boron analogs of carbenes, featuring a divalent boron atom with a lone pair and an open shell. Their general structure includes a boron atom bonded to substituents that stabilize the reactive species, often stabilized by ligands such as N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) or other donor molecules. This stabilization allows the otherwise transient borylenes to be isolated and characterized in some instances.

These compounds are notable for their high reactivity and their ability to engage in a diverse range of chemical reactions, including small molecule activation, such as the binding or cleavage of diatomic molecules like dinitrogen or carbon monoxide. This reactivity makes borylenes of great interest in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, particularly for applications in catalysis and bond activation.

Research on borylenes has advanced significantly in recent years, with notable efforts directed toward understanding their electronic structure, stabilization methods, and potential technological applications. As a relatively recent discovery, they continue to be a subject of active investigation, promising insights into new bonding paradigms and reactive intermediates in chemistry.