Titanium‐Catalyzed Polymerization of a Lewis Base‐Stabilized Phosphinoborane

Abstract

AbstractThe reaction of the Lewis base‐stabilized phosphinoborane monomer tBuHPBH2NMe3 (2 a) with catalytic amounts of bis(η5:η1‐adamantylidenepentafulvene)titanium (1) provides a convenient new route to the polyphosphinoborane [tBuPH‐BH2]n (3 a). This method offers access to high molar mass materials under mild conditions and with short reaction times (20 °C, 1 h in toluene). It represents an unprecedented example of a transition metal‐mediated polymerization of a Lewis base‐stabilized Group 13/15 compound. Preliminary studies of the substrate scope and a potential mechanism are reported.