Modulating multicenter bonding through facile addition of diradical precursors to a bipyridine-stabilized borane.

Diradical compounds provide an intriguing platform for investigating multicenter bonding and the effects of electronic coupling. However, synthesizing diradicals is challenging because these species are generally highly reactive and transient. In this study, we present a straightforward synthetic method for the preparation of boron-containing diradicals, achieved through the direct addition of diradical precursors to a borane with a redox non-innocent bipyridine substituent under mild conditions, thus eliminating the need for strong reducing agents. These newly synthesized diradicals serve as models to explore how molecular geometry and connectivity influence electronic coupling. Our findings highlight the interplay between dispersion-dominated through-space interactions with multicenter covalent character and diradical character, offering valuable insights for developing advanced materials with tailored properties.