ortho-Xylene reacts with the Lochmann-Schlosser base to produce a mixt
ure of the potassium derivatives K2[1,2-C6H4(CH2)2] (2) and K[2-MeC6H4
CH2] (3). Condensation of 1 + 2 with BCl2(NR2) (R = Me, Et, iPr) affor
ds 2-(dialkylamino)-2-boraindanes (1a-c) (50%). Treatment of 1a, b wit
h LiTMP/TMEDA in THF yields dilithio derivatives [Li(tmeda)]2[C6H4(CH)
2BNR2] (8a, b) (40%) which show tripledecked structures consisting of
an aromatic 10pi-electron 2-benzoborole dianion and two [Li(tmeda)]+ u
nits facially bound to the borole ring. 1 a reacts with HCl/Et2O/hexan
e to give C6H4(CH2)2BCl . OEt2 (1d . OEt2) (76%) which decomposes in v
acuo to give the chloro derivative 1d. The methyl derivative C6H4(CH2)
2BMe (1e) is obtained from 1a by treatment with LiMe/Et2O at -78-degre
es-C and subsequently with HCl/Et2O at -78-degrees-C (41%). 1a, b reac
t with MeOH at -78-degrees-C to give solid adducts C6H4(CH2)2BOMe . NH
R2 (12a, b) while 1c affords C6H4(CH2)2BOMe (1f). Subsequent ring-open
ing produces 2-MeC6H4CH2B(OMe)2 (13). With the exception of 1b the 2-b
oraindanes 1 are crystalline solids. The silylation of the 2-benzoboro
le dianions and various (2-methylbenzyl)borane derivatives is also des
cribed.