Dry process for producing diborane

摘要

Diborane is produced by reacting lithium or sodium borohydride with boron trifluoride in the absence of a solvent, thereby avoiding the dangers associated with the ether solvents previously used in similar reactions. The reaction appears to proceed via hydride abstraction from the borohydride, rather than via the hydride-halide exchange mechanism in the corresponding reaction in ether solution. Yields of about 95% can be achieved.