A neutral, acyclic, borataalkene-like ligand for group 11 metals: L- and Z-type ligands side by side.

The overall neutral α-borylated phosphorus ylide Ph 3 PC(Me)BEt 2 behaves like a polar borataalkene and can act as acyclic, ambiphilic π-type ligand with L- and Z-type functionalities side by side. In the complexes [MX{η 2 -Ph 3 PC(Me)BEt 2 }] (M = Cu, (Ag), Au; X = Cl, NTf 2 ), the bonding is dominated by the highly nucleophilic ylidic carbon atom (L-type ligand). The Lewis acidic boron atom furnishes nonetheless a small but significant bonding contribution (Z-type ligand).