A Discrete, Boron-Containing Triangular Triradical

A neutral boron-containing triangular triradical based on a triptycene derivative has been designed and synthesized. Its structure, bonding and physical property have been studied by EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as theoretical calculations. The triradical has a series of isosceles triangle conformations in the solution due to the Jahn-Teller distortion, leading to the splitting of the two low-lying doublet states. This factor together with negligible spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of composing light atoms quenches the spin frustration. The work represents a rare example of a neutral through-space triangular triradical. A neutral boron-containing triangular triradical based on a triptycene derivative has been synthesized. The triradical has isosceles triangle geometry due to Jahn-Teller distoration, leading to a doublet ground state. The work represents a rare example of an isolable neutral through-space triangular triradical.+image