Boron-based catalysts

1. A composition comprising a compound MB(OR 7 ) x (X) 4-x wherein: R 7 is a linear, branched, cyclic, acyclic, or aromatic hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted, having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; X is fluoride, bromide, or iodide; M is a cation of the alkali metals Na + , K + , Li + or a cation of the type R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 N + or R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 P + where R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 independently are hydrocarbyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and x is 1 to 4, with the proviso that when x=4, R 7 is a fluorinated alkyl group.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein x is 1-3.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein x is 3.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein X is iodide.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 each are alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbons.

6. The composition of claim 1 where M is R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 N + , and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are each an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein x is 4 and R 7 is a linear fluoroalkyl group of the type C y F 2y+1 CH 2 CH 2 where y is an integer from 2 to 20.

8. A process for preparing the composition of claim 2 comprising combining B(OR 7 ) 3 and MX in a suitable solvent, wherein the B(OR 7 ) 3 and MX are combined in a molar ratio of from about 1:3 to about 3:1.

9. A process for preparing the composition of claim 2 comprising:

a) combining B 2 O 3 or B(OH) 3 with a compound of the formula R 7 OH in a suitable solvent to form a reaction mixture;

b) optionally, removing water from the reaction mixture; and

c) adding a compound of the formula MX to the reaction mixture in a B 2 O 3 or B(OH) 3 /MX molar ratio of from about 1:3 to 3:1.