Reactions of 1,1'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene with boranes, thiaboranes and carboranes

X-ray crystallography was used to visualize the formation of air-stable acid-base adducts or complexes following the reactions of 1,1'bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) with different species of boranes, thiaboranes and carboranes. The results revealed that dppf reacts with BH3.THF or nido B5H9 to form the dppf(BH3)2 complex which is composed of two borane groups that have direct linkage to the phosphorous atoms of the dppf. Other complexes were found to have coordination with one or both dppf phosphines.