Reaction of aminodihydropentalenes with HB(C₆F₅) ₂: The crucial role of dihydrogen elimination

The aminodihydropentalene derivative 1a reacts with the Lewis acidic RB(C₆F₅)₂ boranes (2a-c) by C-C bond cleavage to yield the formal borylene insertion products 3. In contrast, 1a,b react with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at 55 °C by elimination of dihydrogen to yield the iminium-stabilized zwitterionic heterofulvenes 10a,b. The reaction pathways were studied by preparation of the kinetically controlled intermediates 7a,b and the thermodynamically controlled products 9a,b, monitored by variable-temperature NMR experiments, and supported by DFT calculations. The trapping reactions of 9a with HCl and PhCHO, respectively, led to the addition products 13 and 14. Compounds 3c, 7a,b, 10a,b, 11, 13, and 14 were characterized by X-ray diffraction.