Hydroboration
A Possible Two-Step Reaction Mechanism for the Formation of Diamminedihydroboron Tetrahydroborate from Ammonia and Diborane1

2 NH3 + B2H6     — ›     [(H3N)2BH2][BH4]



        1st Step:     NH3 + B2H6     — ›     H3N • B2H6       Bimolecular elementary reaction

        2nd Step:     NH3 + H3N • B2H6     — ›     [(H3N)2BH2][BH4]       Bimolecular elementary reaction,                                                                                                                                                                                           predicted to be the rate-determining step         __________________________________________________

        OVERALL:   2 NH3 + B2H6     — ›     [(H3N)2BH2][BH4]




    1) Nguyen, V. S.; Matus, M. H.; Grant, D. J.; Nguyen, M. T.; Dixon, D. A. J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 8844 .



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