diboranet

Diborane is a chemical compound with the formula B2H6. It is the simplest of the boron hydrides and is a colorless, flammable gas. Diborane is highly reactive and a strong reducing agent. Its structure consists of two boron atoms bridged by two hydrogen atoms, with each boron atom also bonded to two terminal hydrogen atoms. This unusual bonding arrangement is a characteristic feature of electron-deficient molecules.

Diborane is primarily used as a reagent in organic synthesis, particularly for hydroboration reactions. In hydroboration, diborane adds across a carbon-carbon double or triple bond, followed by oxidation to form alcohols. It is also used in the production of other boron compounds and in the semiconductor industry for boron doping of silicon. Due to its toxicity and pyrophoric nature (igniting spontaneously in air), diborane requires careful handling and specialized equipment. It is typically generated in situ or handled in inert atmospheres. Its industrial production often involves the reaction of sodium borohydride with boron trifluoride.