Matrix Isolation Study of the Oxidation of Diborane: Synthesis of Boroxin H3B3O3 and Its 18O Labeled Counterparts.

TLDR: In this paper, the matrix isolation technique has been employed in an attempt to characterize intermediates formed during pyrolysis of B 2 H 6 and O 2, which is likely that elemental boron and H 2 are the dominant products.

Abstract: The matrix isolation technique has been employed in an attempt to characterize intermediates formed during the pyrolysis and pyrolytic oxidation of B 2 H 6 . Samples were passed through a pyrolysis zone heated to as high as 350°C. When no oxygen was present, complete decomposition of the parent diborane was observed, with no new product species. Under these conditions, it is likely that elemental boron and H 2 are the dominant products. Pyrolysis of samples containing B 2 H 6 and O 2 led to a strong absorption near 1380 cm −1 , which is assigned by comparison to literature spectra to boroxin, H 3 B 3 O 3 . 18 O Data have been obtained for the latter species and are used to support a D 3h structure for the compound.