Linear and macrocyclic oligo( p -phenylene iminoboranes) with ferrocenyl side groups - observation of selective, non-templated macrocyclization.

A series of linear oligo( p -phenylene iminoboranes), which are BN-modified congeners of oligo( p -phenylene vinylenes), featuring pendent ferrocene groups have been prepared. Stoichiometric reaction of a bis-silylamine with a bisborane led to selective formation of an unprecedented macrocycle, without the use of a template.