Comprehensive solution and solid-state characterization of an adduct between a Lewis acidic perfluoroaryl borane and an electron-rich silane is demonstrated. This has long been proposed as an intermediate in the ‘frustrated’ Lewis-pair hydrosilylation of C=C, C=O and C=N double bonds, but its existence has, so far, only been inferred from indirect experimental evidence.
- Adrian Y. Houghton
- Juha Hurmalainen
- Heikki M. Tuononen