Borane carbonyl is the inorganic compound with the formula H3BCO. This colorless gas is the adduct of borane and carbon monoxide. It is usually prepared by combining borane-ether complexes and CO. The compound is mainly of theoretical and pedagogical interest.[2]
Structure and properties
The structure of the molecule of borane carbonyl is H3B−−C≡O+. The B−C≡O linkage is linear. The coordination geometry around the boron atom is tetrahedral. The bond distances are 114.0 pm for the C≡O bond, 152.9 pm for the C−B bond, and 119.4 pm for the B−H bonds. The H−B−H bond angle is 113.7°. The C≡Ovibrational band is at 2164.7 cm−1, around 22 cm−1 higher than that of free CO.[3]
The reaction quickly reaches equilibrium at 100°C, but at room temperature, the reverse reaction is slow enough to isolate borane carbonyl. This reaction is performed at high pressures, typically with a maximum pressure observed of 1000 to 1600 psi (68.95 to 110.32 bar).[6] It can also be performed at atmospheric pressure, with ethers as a catalyst.[7][8]
A more recent synthesis of borane carbonyl involves slowly bubbling carbon monoxide through a 1 MH3B−THF solution. The resulting gas stream can be condensed and subsequently bubbled through ethanolicpotassium hydroxide to produce the boranocarbonate anion ([H3BCO2]2− or H3B−−CO−2).[8]
^ abAlberto, R.; Ortner, K.; Wheatley, N.; Schibli, R.; Schubiger, A. P. (2001). "Synthesis and Properties of Boranocarbonate: A Convenient in Situ CO Source for the Aqueous Preparation of [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123 (13): 3135–3136. doi:10.1021/ja003932b. PMID11457025.