B2H6 analogs

The amidoborates with NR2 groups are moderately strong bases." Consequently they are transformed, on treatment with B2H6, into ju-amido-bisborate(-l), [R2N(BH3)2]- [commonly known as bis(borate)amide(l-)]. The phosphidotrihydroborates show analogous reactions (Table 8). 

The system P4(NCH3)6-B2H6 produces a series of adducts analogous to those discussed above 77>. 

In analogy to the route of Wiberg for the formation of polyiminoalanes and subsequently of aluminum nitride [61], NaBH4, BCI3, and ammonia may be used as starting materials. The intermediate formation of diborane, B2H6, was assumed [81] in this case. 

The actual chemical structures of boron hydrides remained a mystery for decades. The obvious analogy of the formula of diborane(6), B2H6, to ethane and of tetraborane(lO), B4H10, to butane tempted speculation that the structures were also analogous. In fact, electron diffraction studies appeared to bear this out for B2H6, whieh was incorrectly reported to have the ethane structure. 

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