Multiple C–B Bond Cleavage Reactions at [BArF4]− Anions Mediated by Terphenyl Phosphine Gold Catalysts

Fluorinated borates have been widely used as innocent and weakly coordinating counteranions. Among those, [BAr F 4 ] − ([B(C 6 H 3 -3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 ) 4 ] − ) occupies a prominent position due to the robustness of its B–C carbon bonds. Herein, we investigate C–B bond cleavage in the [BAr F 4 ] − anion mediated by cationic gold fragments of type [Au(PMe 2 Ar′)] +, where Ar′ stands for bulky terphenyl (C 6 H 3 -2,6-Ar 2 ) substituents. In addition, we have exploited the stoichiometric B–C bond cleavage to construct a catalytic cycle for the synthesis of boranes under acidic conditions.