GAS-PHASE ION-MOLECULE CHEMISTRY OF BORATE AND BORONATE ESTERS

Borate esters B(OR)3 and boronate esters RB(OR)2 undergo ion-molecule reactions to yield both addition products (by an implied radiative emi ssion mechanism), ligand exchange, and proton transfer products, in bo th positive and negative ion modes. Although an acidity for CH3B(OR)2 could not be determined, HOB(OR)2 has an acidity between acetaldehyde and nitromethane. In light of the negligible polar electron acceptor p roperties of the -B(OR)2 group, that functionality must therefore be o ne of the best resonance electron acceptor groups known, almost half a gain as effective as the nitro group.