Multiple C–B\nBond Cleavage Reactions at [BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup> Anions Mediated by Terphenyl\nPhosphine Gold Catalysts

Fluorinated borates have been widely used as innocent\nand weakly\ncoordinating counteranions. Among those, [BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup> ([B(C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>-3,5-(CF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>)<sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup>) occupies a prominent\nposition due to the robustness of its B–C carbon bonds. Herein,\nwe investigate C–B bond cleavage in the [BAr<sup>F</sup><sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup> anion mediated by cationic gold fragments\nof type [Au(PMe<sub>2</sub>Ar′)]<sup>+</sup>, where Ar′\nstands for bulky terphenyl (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>-2,6-Ar<sub>2</sub>) substituents. In addition, we have exploited the stoichiometric\nB–C bond cleavage to construct a catalytic cycle for the synthesis\nof boranes under acidic conditions.