Diborane theoretical treatment

A simple theoretical treatment that can be applied to electron-deficient substances in general can be given for the diborane molecule.81 Let us consider the various valence-bond structures that can be written for the molecule8 (with its known configuration) with use of the six... 

It is thus apparent that a choice between the various theoretical treatments of the structure of diborane cannot yet be made. We shall now consider the experimental evidence for the structure of the molecule which is generally interpreted in terms of either the bridge structure /, the ionic structure /AT, or an ethane type of configuration. 

This treatment continues that in Boron Compounds 2nd Suppl. Vol. 1, 1983, Section 2.3.4, pp. 59/68, and that in Boron Compounds 3rd Suppl. Vol. 1, 1987, Section 2.4.3, pp. 64/70. The parent system B2H4 continues to attract the attention of theoretical chemists due to its simplicity and its inherent electron deficiency. Derivatives of B2H4 are more readily available now, and the known chemistry of such species is expanding. An interesting development is that the pyrolysis of some cyclic diborane(4) derivatives proceeds with the retention of the boron-boron bond. 

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