Donor-acceptor complexes of the oxoboranes ClB=O and HOB=O were synthesized and each feature short multiply bonded B=O linkages. The retention of high Lewis acidic character within these encapsulated monomeric oxoboranes was manifested by their ability to support C-F and Si-O bond activation/functionalization. The reported ClB=O complexes can be regarded as synthetic surrogates of the [BO]+ cation, an inorganic analogue of CO.
Keywords: bond activation; boron; donor-acceptor systems; oxoborane; oxygen.
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