A General Rhodium Catalyst for the Deuteration of Boranes and Hydrides of the Group 14 Elements.

Pinacolborane, catecholborane, triethylsilane, triphenylsilane, dimethylphenylsilane, 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane, triethylgermane, triphenylgermane, and triphenylstannane deuterated at the heteroatom position have been catalytically prepared in 50-70% isolated yield, through H/D exchange between the D2 molecule and the respective boranes and hydrides of the group 14 elements, in the presence of the rhodium(I)-monohydride catalyst precursor RhH{κ3-P,O,P-[xant(PiPr2)2]} (xant(PiPr2)2 = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)xanthene).