Boranes

A borane is a compound with the formula BRxHy although examples include multi-boron derivatives.

In addition to some applications in organic chemistry, the boranes have attracted much attention as they exhibit structures and bonding that differs strongly from the patterns seen in hydrocarbons.

[1] The development of the chemistry of boranes led to innovations in synthetic methods as well as structure and bonding.

First, new synthetic techniques were required to handle diborane and many of its derivatives, which are both pyrophoric and volatile.

Schlesinger's work laid the foundation for a host of boron hydride reagents for organic synthesis, most of which were developed by his student Herbert C. Brown.