Arrested B-H activation en route to installation of a PBP pincer ligand on ruthenium and osmium

The reaction of HB(NCH2PPh2)2C 6H4-1,2 with MCl2(PPh3)3 (M = Ru, Os) affords the six-coordinate σ-borane complexes [MCl 2(PPh3){σ-BH-κ2-P,P′- HB(NCH2PPh2)2-C6H4}], in which the B-H bond remains intact while coordinated to the metal center. Replaceme