Synthesis and structure of a boron cation supported by a β-diketiminate ligand

The salt [HC(CMe)2(NAr)2BPh][Al2Cl7] (3); Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) has been synthesized via the in situ preparation of [HC(CMe)2(NAr)2BClPh], followed by treatment with AlCl3. X-ray analysis of 3 reveals that the BN2C3 ring of the boron cation is planar and DFT calculations indicate π-type interactions in the HOMO-6 and HOMO-7 orbitals.