Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane: leveraging historical and emerging work to identify alternatives for organic electronic applications

Abstract

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) is a versatile Lewis acid now having played a key role in the development of boron-based Lewis acid chemistry. The borane has found utility in many applications ranging from a co-catalyst for olefin-polymerization to a dopant for organic (semi-)conductors. Highlighted within are historical advances of B(C₆F₅)₃ utilization in the realms of molecular transformations and frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Applications of B(C₆F₅)₃ in various electronic devices is upcoming and presented, as well emerging dopant strategies for organic-based electronic applications are included. This perspective is completed by presenting other known Lewis acids with respective properties relevant for dopant applications in organic electronics.