Base-Stabilized Phosphinidene Boranes by Silylium-Ion Abstraction.

We report the preparation of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized compounds containing P=B double bonds. The reaction of the highly functionalized phosphinoborane Mes*(SiMe3 )P-B(Cl)Cp* with Lewis bases allows access to base-stabilized phosphinidene boranes Mes*P=B(L)Cp* (L=4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), NHC) by Me3 SiCl elimination. The formation of these species is shown to proceed through transient borylphosphide anions generated by Me3 Si abstraction.