The title compound, (C6H5)(3)B(C4H8O), is monomeric and contains a B atom in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment bonded to three phenyl groups and one thf moiety. The phenyl groups and thf are canted and the (ligand)-B-(ligand) angles fall within the range 104.2 (2)-116.3 (3)degrees.
Preparation of the Metallocene Oxide Cluster Compound [(Cp<sub>2</sub>Zr)<sub>3</sub>(μ<sub>2</sub>-OH)<sub>3</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-O)<sup>+</sup>]BPh<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup> by Hydrolysis of Jordan's Cation [Cp<sub>2</sub>ZrCH<sub>3</sub>(THF)<sup>+</sup>]BPh<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>
The THF-stabilized methylzirconocene salt [Cp2ZrCH3(THF)(+)]BPh4- (2) was treated with excess H2O in dichloromethane/THF at -78 degrees C to yield the trinuclear metallocene oxide cation complex [(Cp2Zr)(3)-(mu(2)-OH)(3)(mu(3)-O)(+)]BPh4-. 3THF (1(+)BPh(4)(-)) in 72% yield. The complex 1(+)BPh(4)(-) was characterized by X-ray diffraction. It exhibits a planar central Zr3O3 hexagon having the mu(3)-O ligand in its center. Each of the three oxygen atoms at the perimeter is protonated and in the crystal connected to a THF molecule by means of a weak hydrogen bond. The byproduct THF . BPh3 (3) was crystallized from the THF mother liquor and identified by X-ray diffraction.