Reactivity of Tungstenocene with B-B and B-H Bonds versus C-H Bonds

The selectivity for addition of the BB bond of Cat'BBCat' (Cat' = 4-tBuC₆H₃O₂) to [Cp₂W] even in the presence of reactive CH bonds in the solvent benzene is remarkable. In contrast to facile BB cleavage, BH bond formation occurred upon photolysis of [Cp₂W(H)(BCat)] (Cat = C₆H₄O₂). This facile cleavage of BB bonds and the preferred formation of BH bonds contrasts with the typical selectivities for CC and CH activation reactions. The formation and some reactions of tungstenocene are shown on the right. Read more on publisher's site.