Application

A versatile reagent widely used in the preparation of d⁰ arene¹ and other organometallic complexes^2,3 useful as polymerization catalysts.
Used with tri-tert-butylphosphine (570958) to study the heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen at room temperature and one atmosphere pressure.⁴

General description

B(C₆F₅)₃ is a Lewis acid, stronger than the inorganic parent molecule BF₃. In contrast to the prominent Lewis acids, the pentafluorides of the heavier elements of group 15, B(C₆F₅)₃ has no oxidizing properties. B(C₆F₅)₃ forms adducts with neutral and weaker Lewis bases. B(C₆F₅)₃ has the capability to easily accept anionic ligands bonded to metals.