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Science 17 November 2006:
Vol. 314. no. 5802, p. 1045
DOI: 10.1126/science.314.5802.1045c
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This Week in Science

Figure 1 Many transition metal compounds can reversibly add and eliminate H2, but compounds of lighter elements tend not to undergo this reaction sequence cleanly, as a result of both unfavorable bonding thermodynamics and poor orbital alignment for efficient kinetics. Welch et al. (p. 1124; see the Perspective by Kubas) find that an air-stable phosphonium borate compound with P-H and B-H bonds cleanly liberates H2 above 100°C, and efficiently adds it back upon exposure in solution to the gas at room temperature. The reaction is unusual in that dimesitylphosphine adds to the para carbon of a phenyl ring in tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, rather than binding more conventionally to the boron center. The reaction may have implications for the development of relatively light-weight substances for storage and release of hydrogen.

CREDIT: WELCH ET AL.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)