Downloaded by KAOHSIUNG MEDICAL UNIV on June 10, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1964 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1964-0042.pr001
PREFACE Research on boron-nitrogen compounds dates back to the early nineteenth century. Primarily, the inspired work of Alfred Stock provided the necessary impetus to activate this area of chemistry. His pupil, Egon Wiberg, developed the basic concepts of the more modern approaches, classifying boron-nitrogen derivatives into the three major groups of amine boranes, aminoboranes, and borazines according to the nature of the bond. Subsequently, however, investigation of the unique bonding situation in boron hydrides took precedence over other aspects of boron chemistry. Recently, interest in the chemistry of boron-nitrogen compounds has been rejuvenated, as is illustrated by the considerable increase in the number of publications in this area during the last few years. This resurgence of effort was based p r i marily on a reappraisal of Wiberg' s concept of the isosterism between the C - C and B - N groupings. True, these two groups are not only isosteric, but also isoelectronic, and certain similarities of boronnitrogen derivatives and corresponding hydrocarbons cannot be denied. But almost certainly analogies have been overemphasized and it seems at least somewhat premature to consider boron as an "organic" element. This also raises the more philosophical question as to whether or not dividing chemistry into various subdisciplines is still justified. In our time of rapid scientific advances we are faced with the paradox that even the specialist has to specialize further, while the burgeoning interest in interdisciplinary research requires the attention of scientists who appreciate the broad range point of view. It is therefore encouraging to find among the papers of this symposium contributions from many subdisciplines of chemistry. Indeed, only a close collaboration of classical chemistry (with suitable modifications) and modern and advanced techniques will provide a desirable increase of our knowledge and understanding of science. Since several years had passed since the rebirth of boron-nitrogen chemistry, the time appeared ripe for a general discussion of this area — hence this Symposium on Boron-Nitrogen Chemistry. The more important purposes of this symposium were to assemble the active workers in this area of science, to provide a forum for the presentation of most recent results, where new approaches would be predicted and future trends recognized, to promote personal contact among research workers in this area, and to discuss the general state of art in boron-nitrogen chemistry. A brief look at the papers presented at the symposium illustrates two major advances in boron-nitrogen chemistry which have contributed much toward influencing the growth of research in this field. Since A. W. Laubengayer's synthesis of B-trichloroborazine (1955), the practice of using high vacuum techniques has been partially supplanted by more classical approaches, and the utilization of spectroscopy as a
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Niedenzu; Boron-Nitrogen Chemistry Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1964.
Downloaded by KAOHSIUNG MEDICAL UNIV on June 10, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1964 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1964-0042.pr001
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tool for explaining both structures and mechanisms has been stimulated by the investigations of J . Goubeau and his school. New instrumental methods — for instance, the applications of NMR spectroscopy — have been found extremely helpful in exploring former postulations. Advan ces in preparation are illustrated by the fact that ten years ago some two dozen substituted borazines were known, whereas today more than two hundred such compounds have been described in the literature. Incorporation of the B - N grouping in aromatic nuclei gave access to a whole new area of boron-nitrogen derivatives and the interest of the theoretician has been attracted by the evolution of new and exciting structures and reactions. It is obvious from reading the symposium papers that a fruitful collaboration is developing in the area of boronnitrogen chemistry. The symposium was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office Durham, not only financially but also by active participation of various staff members in making the necessary arrangements. Many others have contributed to the realization of this symposium. Actually, the idea for it was born during a discussion between Professor Riley Schaeffer, Dr. John W. Dawson, Dr. George M. Wyman, and the writer. Later conversations with Dr. Lester P. Kuhn, Professor George E. Ryschkewitsch, and Professor Hermann J . Becher dis closed a growing interest in the organization of a meeting responsive to the purposes cited above. Also, the encouragement and willing cooperation of Professor Robert W. Parry are deeply appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank the Editor for agreeing to publish the symposium papers in Advances in Chemistry Series. Kurt Niedenzu U.S. Army Research Office-Durham Duke University Durham, N. C.
Niedenzu; Boron-Nitrogen Chemistry Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1964.
