Ploszajski Anna R, Billing Matthew, Skipper Neal T, Cockcroft Jeremy K
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Roberts Building, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Jul 11;55(57):8290-8292. doi: 10.1039/c9cc02720c.
A new hydrogen-bonded supramolecular framework is reported, consisting of ammonium pentaborate, containing poly(ethylene-glycol) chains extending down tubular cavities in the structure. The crystal architecture is templated by the presence of the polyether chains, analogous to template synthesis of zeolites and metal organic frameworks. The ammonium pentaborate is formed by the thermolysis of ammonia borane, followed by hydrolysis of the dehydrogenation products by ambient water. This structure represents the first known example of a borate-based polymer inclusion compound.