Phosphine-borane

In chemistry, phosphine-boranes are organophosphorus compounds with the formula R3−nHnPBH3.

They are Lewis acid-Lewis base adducts derived from organophosphines (PR3−nHn) and borane (BH3).

Since these adducts are air-stable, they represent a protected form of the parent organophosphine.

[1][2] Typically phosphine-boranes are produced by treating the parent phosphine with a source of borane: Because borane solutions are expensive or dangerous, the borane is often generated in situ, e.g., by oxidation of borohydride with iodine.

[3] Deprotection to liberate the phosphine is often achieved by treatment with a tertiary amine:[2]