German chemists have successfully synthesized the world’s first molecule containing a triple bond between boron and carbon. Despite the existence of numerous double bond molecules, the creation of the molecule boryne is the first successful attempt to contain a triple bond.
In the research, published in the journal Nature Synthesis, Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg chemists characterize and perform initial reactivity studies of the molecule which at room temperature, exists as an orange solid.
To synthesize boryne, the boron atom must be held in a linear arrangement with carbon atoms. "In combination with the triple bond, this is about as uncomfortable as it gets for boron, requiring very special conditions," says Dr. Rian Dewhurst, co-author of the study. This uncomfortable arrangement explains why it has taken chemists so long to synthesize a triple bond molecule.
"Compounds in which individual atoms feel 'uncomfortable' often show a very interesting reactivity," added Maximilian Michel, the doctoral student who synthesized the molecule. This reactivity has become the focus of the chemist’s future work.
The work performed by the team of chemists could lead to novel tools used for chemical synthesis and could even provide an enhanced understanding of chemical bonds and structures in the future.
"Another benefit that is often overlooked: Basic research like ours inspires other researchers to put their efforts and imagination into synthesizing compounds that might seem improbable," concluded Dewhurst. "World-changing advances often emerge from these kinds of crazy ideas."