Unusual interaction of alkynes with nine-vertex arachno-monocarbaboranes 4-CB8H14 and [4-CB8H13]-

Alkynes R(1)R(2)C(2) react with the neutral monocarbaborane arachno-4-CB(8)H(14) (1) at elevated temperatures (115-120 degrees C) under the formation of the derivatives of the ten-vertex dicarbaborane nido-5,6-C(2)B(8)H(12) (2) of general formula 9-Me-5,6-R1,R2-nido-5,6-C(2)B(8)H(9) (where R1,R2 = H,H 2a; Me,Me 2b; Et,Et 2c, H,Ph 2d, and Ph,Ph 2e) in moderate yields (26-52%). Side reaction with PhC(2)H also yields 1-Ph-6-Me-closo-1,2-C(2)B(8)H(8) (3d). In contrast, the reaction between [arachno-4-CB(8)H(13)](-) anion ((-)) and PhC(2)H produces a mixture of the closo anions [1-CB7H8]- (4-) and [1-CB6H7]- (5-) (yields 32 and 24%, respectively). Individual compounds were isolated and purified by liquid chromatography and characterized by NMR spectroscopy ((11)B, (1)H and (13)C) combined with two-dimensional [(11)B-(11)B]-COSY and (1)H-{(11)B(selective)}NMR techniques.     

Monocarbaborane chemistry. Preparation and characterisation of [4-CB8H9]-, the 'missing' closo-carbaborane anion

Thermolysis in the solid state of Cs+[arachno-CB9H14]-, or of Cs+[nido-CB9H12]-, or the oxidation of nido-1-CB8H12 with I2 in THF at -78 degrees C in the presence of NEt3, gives the first nine-vertex closo monocarbaborane, the stable [closo-4-CB8H9]- anion, in yields of 56, 61 and 75%, respectively.     

Diphosphacarbollide analogues of the C5H5- anion: isolation of the nido-di- and triphosphacarboranes 7,8,9-P2CB8H10, [7,8,9-P2CB8H9]-, [7,8,10-P2CB8H9]-, and 7,8,9,10-P3CB7H8

Treatment of a solution of excess PCl(3) and PS (PS = "proton sponge" = 1,8-dimethylamino naphthalene) with arachno-4-CB(8)H(14) (1) in CH(2)Cl(2), followed by hydrolysis of the reaction mixture, resulted in the isolation of the eleven-vertex diphosphacarbaborane nido-7,8,9-P(2)CB(8)H(10) (2) (yield 34%) as the main product. Other products isolated from this reaction were the phosphacarboranes nido-7,8,9,10-P(3)CB(7)H(8) (3) (yield 5%) and closo-2,1-PCB(8)H(9) (4) (yield 15%). Compound 2 can be deprotonated by PS in CH(2)Cl(2) or NaH in diethyl ether to give the [nido-7,8,9-P(2)CB(8)H(9)](-) (2(-)()) anion, which gives back the original compound, 2, upon re-protonation. Thermal rearrangement of anion 2(-) (Na(+) salt) at 350 degrees C for 2 h produced the isomeric [nido-7,8,10-P(2)CB(8)H(9)](-) (5(-)()) anion, which was isolated as a PPh(4)(+) salt (yield 86%). Multinuclear ((1)H, (11)B, (31)P, and (13)C), two-dimensional [(11)B-(11)B] COSY, (1)H{(11)B(selective)}, (1)H{(31)P(selective)}, and gradient-enhanced ([(1)H-(13)C] HSQC) magnetic resonance measurements led to complete assignments of all resonances which are in excellent agreement with the structures proposed. Coupling constants, (1)J((31)P,(13)C), (2)J((31)P,C,(1)H), and (1)J((31)P,(31)P), were calculated using the DFT method B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p). The molecular geometries of all compounds were optimized ab initio at a correlated level of theory (RMP2(fc)) using the 6-31G basis set, and their correctness was assessed by comparison of the experimental (11)B and (13)C chemical shifts with those calculated by the GIAO-SCF/II//RMP2(fc)/6-31G method. The computations also include the structures and chemical shieldings of the still unknown isomers [nido-7,10,8-P(2)CB(8)H(9)](-) (6(-)) and [nido-7,9,8-P(2)CB(8)H(9)](-) (7(-)).     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of 13-vertex carboranes and 14-vertex metallacarboranes

Syntheses, properties, and synthetic applications of 13-vertex closo- and nido-carboranes are reported. Reactions of the nido-carborane salt [(CH2)3C2B10H10]Na2 with dihaloborane reagents afforded 13-vertex closo-carboranes 1,2-(CH2)3-3-R-1,2-C2B11H10 (R = H (2), Ph (3), Z-EtCH=C(Et) (4), E-(t)BuCH=CH (5)). Treatment of the arachno-carborane salt [(CH2)3C2B10H10]Li4 with HBBr2.SMe2 gave both the 13-vertex carborane 2 and a 14-vertex closo-carborane (CH2)3C2B12H12 (8). On the other hand, the reaction of [C6H4(CH2)2C2B10H10]Li4 with HBBr2.SMe2 generated only a 13-vertex closo-carborane 1,2-C6H4(CH2)2-1,2-C2B11H11 (9). Electrophilic substitution reactions of 2 with excess MeI, Br2, or I2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of AlCl3 produced the hexa-substituted 13-vertex carboranes 8,9,10,11,12,13-X6-1,2-(CH2)3-1,2-C2B11H5 (X = Me (10), Br (11), I (12)). The halogenated products 11 and 12 displayed unexpected instability toward moisture. The 13-vertex closo-carboranes were readily reduced by groups 1 and 2 metals. Accordingly, several 13-vertex nido-carborane dianionic salts [nido-1,2-(CH2)3-1,2-C2B11H11][Li2(DME)2(THF)2] (13), [[nido-1,2-(CH2)3-1,2-C2B11H11][Na2(THF)4]]n (13a), [[nido-1,2-(CH2)3-3-Ph-1,2-C2B11H10][Na2(THF)4]]n (14), [[nido-1,2-C6H4(CH2)2-1,2-C2B11H11][Na2(THF)4]]n (15), and [nido-1,2-(CH2)3-1,2-C2B11H11][M(THF)5] (M = Mg (16), Ca (17)) were prepared in good yields. These carbon-atom-adjacent nido-carboranes were not further reduced to the corresponding arachno species by lithium metal. On the other hand, like other nido-carborane dianions, they were useful synthons for the production of super-carboranes and supra-icosahedral metallacarboranes. Interactions of 13a with HBBr2.SMe2, (dppe)NiCl2, and (dppen)NiCl2 gave the 14-vertex carborane 8 and nickelacarboranes [eta5-(CH2)3C2B11H11]Ni(dppe) (18) and [eta5-(CH2)3C2B11H11]Ni(dppen) (19), respectively. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Some were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Fine-tuning of metallaborane geometries: chemistry of iridaboranes derived from the reaction of

From reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2HxCl(4-x)] (x=1, 0) and LiBH4, arachno-[[Cp*IrH2]B3H7](1) is produced in moderate yield concurrently with [Cp*IrH4]. In contrast, reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2H2Cl2] with LiBH4 results in arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)B2H5] (3) in high yield at room temperature but a mixture of 1 and [[Cp*IrH]2(mu-H)BH4] (2) at 0 degrees C. BH3 x THF converts 1 to arachno-[(Cp*IrHB4H9] (4) and 2 to 3 with 1 as a minor product. Further, reaction of 3 with excess of BH3 x THF results in formation of nido-[[Cp*Ir]2-(mu-H)B4H7] (6) formed by loss of H2 from the intermediate arachno-[[Cp*IrH]2B4H8] (5). Reaction of 1 with [Co2(CO)8] permits the isolation of two metallaboranes, arachno-[[Cp*Ir(CO)]-B3H7] (7) and nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2-(CO)4(mu-CO)B3H7] (8). Treatment of 4 with [Co2(CO)8] gives only one single mixed-metal metallaborane nido-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2-Co(CO)3B4H7 (9) in high yield. Finally, pyrolysis of 8 results in loss of hydrogen and formation of pileo-[1-[Cp*Ir]-2,3-Co2(CO)5B3H5] (10) with a BH-capped square-pyramidal structure. With kinetic control rational synthesis of a variety metallaboranes has been achieved by varying the number of chlorides in the monocyclopentadienylmetal halide dimer, reaction temperature, types of monoborane, and metal fragment sources.     

Ten-vertex iron-monocarbollide complexes: synthesis and reactivity of the anion [4,9-{Fe(CO)4}-9,9,9-(CO)3-arachno-9,6-FeCB8H11]-

The reagent [arachno-4-CB8H14] reacts with [Fe3(CO)12] in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at reflux temperatures, followed by addition of [N(PPh3)2]Cl, to afford [N(PPh3)2][4,9-{Fe(CO)4}-9,9,9-(CO)3-arachno-9,6-FeCB8H11] (3). In the anion of 3, one iron atom is part of the open CBBFeBB face of a 10-vertex {arachno-9,6-FeCB8} cage, to which the second iron atom is attached via an Fe-Fe bond and an additional exo-polyhedral Fe-B sigma bond. Upon heating 3 in refluxing toluene, the closed 10-vertex species [N(PPh3)2][2,2,2-(CO)3-closo-2,1-FeCB8H9] (4) is obtained, whereas the isomeric compound [N(PPh3)2][6,6,6-(CO)3-closo-6,1-FeCB8H9] (5) is isolated upon heating [closo-4-CB8H9]- and [Fe3(CO)12] in refluxing THF with subsequent addition of [N(PPh3)2]Cl. Protonation of 3 using CF3SO3H in CH2Cl2 gives the charge-compensated compound [4,9-{Fe(CO)4}-4-(mu-H)-9,9,9-(CO)3-arachno-9,6-FeCB8H11] (6), in which the B-Fe sigma bond of the precursor has been converted to a B-H right harpoon-up Fe linkage. In contrast, 3 with {M(PPh3)}+ gives the trimetallic species [1,3,4,9-{MFe(CO)4(PPh3)}-1,3-(mu-H)2-9,9,9-(CO)3-arachno-9,6-FeCB8H9] (M = Cu (7), Ag 8) in which the three metal centers form a V-shaped M-Fe-Fe unit. Compound 6 reacts with PEt3 in the presence of Me(3)NO to yield [4,9-(PEt3)2-9,9-(CO)2-nido-9,6-FeCB8H10] (9). In the latter, the formerly exo-polyhedral {Fe(CO)4} fragment has been replaced by a PEt3 ligand, with a second PEt3 substituting one CO group at the remaining cluster iron vertex. The novel structural features of compounds 3-9 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of the arachno-4-CB(8)H(12)(2)(-) monocarbaborane dianion and NMR/computational studies of the fluxional processes observed in the isoelectronic nine-vertex arachno anions: arachno-4-CB(8)H(12)(2)(-), arachno-4-CB(8)H(13)(-), and arachno-4-SB(8)H(11)(-)

The new monocarbaborane dianion, arachno-4-CB(8)H(12)(2)(-) has been synthesized from the reaction of arachno-4-CB(8)H(14) with 2 equiv of NaH in polar solvents. DFT/GIAO computations at the B3LYP/6-311G//B3LYP/6-311G level, in conjunction with 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies, have confirmed that the dianion results from deprotonation of both the endo-CH and one bridging hydrogen of the parent arachno-4-CB(8)H(14). While the DFT calculations indicate that a C(1) symmetric structure is lowest in energy, the experimental solution NMR data are consistent with the dianion having a C(s)() symmetric structure, thus suggesting that it is fluxional in solution. Transition state calculations located a low-energy pathway with an activation energy of only 2.7 kcal/mol that allows the migration of the bridging hydrogen between the two enantiomeric forms of the dianion. The process can occur by a single-step, simple rotation through a transition state structure containing a -BH(2) group at the B7 boron. Averaging the calculated (11)B NMR chemical shifts of the resonances for those atoms in the static enantiomeric structures that become equivalent by this fluxional process then gives excellent agreement with the solution NMR data. Transition state calculations of the fluxional behavior previously observed for the isoelectronic arachno-4-CB(8)H(13)(-) and arachno-4-SB(8)H(11)(-) monoanions have likewise revealed related low-energy (0.3 and 5.0 kcal/mol, respectively) rearrangement mechanisms involving the simultaneous rotation of three hydrogens (two bridging and one -BH(2)) through a C(s)() symmetry transition state containing three -BH(2) groups.     

Two isomeric phosphacarboranes 2,1- and 6,1-PCB(8)H(9), the first representatives of the 10-vertex closo phosphacarborane Series

The reaction between arachno-4-CB(8)H(14) and PCl(3) in the presence of PS (PS = proton sponge = 1,8-dimethylamino naphthalene) (dichloromethane, rt, 24 h) produced the neutral phosphacarborane closo-2,1-PCB(8)H(9) (35% yield), while a similar reaction of nido-1-CB(8)H(12) gave the isomeric compound closo-6,1-PCB(8)H(9) (27% yield). The structures of both compounds were derived on the basis of the combined ab initio/GIAO/NMR ((1)H, (11)B, (13)C) approach. The optimized structures at a correlated level of theory (MP2) with 6-31G* basis set were used as a basis for calculations of the (11)B and (13)C chemical shifts at GIAO-SCF/II and GIAO-MP2/II, the latter showing excellent agreement with experimental data.     

Phosphacarborane chemistry: the 7,8,9,11-, 7,9,8,10- and 7,8,9,10-isomers of nido-P2C2B7H9--diphosphadicarbaborane analogues of 7,8,9,10-C4B7H11

The reaction between the carborane arachno-4,6-C2B7H13 (1) and PCl3 in dichloromethane in the presence of a "proton sponge" (PS = 1,8-dimethylaminonaphthalene) resulted in the isolation of the eleven-vertex nido-diphosphadicarbaboranes 7,8,9,11-P2C2B7H, (2) and 3-Cl-7,8,11-P2C2B7H, (3-Cl-2) in yields of 54 and 7%, respectively. Replacement of the PS by NEt3 in the same reaction gave diphosphadicarbaboranes 2 and 3-CI-2 together with the isomeric species nido-7,9,8,10-P2C2B7H, (3) in yields of 28, 15 and 3%, respectively. The reaction between the isomeric carborane arachno-4,5-C2B7H13 (4) and PCl3 in dichloromethane in the presence of PS gave the asymmetrical isomer, nido-7,8,9,10-P2C2B7H, (5). along with the chloro derivatives 4-Cl-7,8,9,10-P2C2B7H8 (4-Cl-5) and 11-Cl-7,8,9,10-PC2B7,H8 (11-Cl-5) (yields of 21, 1 and 13%, respectively). The structures of the chlorinated derivatives 3-Cl2 and 11 -Cl-5 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, the structures of all compounds isolated were geometry-optimised and confirmed by comparison of experimental 11B chemical shifts with those calculated by the GIAO-SCF/II//RMP2(fc)/6-31G* method. The calculations also include the structure and 11B NMR shifts of the isomer nido-7,10,8,9-P2C2B7H9 (6) which has not yet been isolated.     

Synthesis, characterization, and computational studies of 6-(RR'N)-nido-5,7-C2B8H11: a polyborane cluster with a cage-boron having an exopolyhedral dative boron-nitrogen double bond

The reactions of the arachno-4,6-C 2B 7H 13 carborane with the secondary and primary amines, Me 2NHBH 3 and ( t )BuNH 2BH 3, in ionic liquid media result in both boron-insertion into the cage at a position across the two cage-carbons and additional hydrogen-elimination via the reaction of a hydridic B-H with a protonic amine N-H hydrogen to produce the 6-(RR'N)- nido-5,7-C 2B 8H 11 carboranes. Computational characterizations of these compounds and the previously reported 6-ClC 6H 4-9-(RR'N)- nido-6-NB 9H 10 azaboranes indicate that the amine-nitrogens form unique exopolyhedral dative BN double bonds with a cage-boron.     

Monocarbaborane anion chemistry. [COOH], [CH2OH] and [CHO] units as functional groups on ten-vertex monocarbaborane anionic compounds

B(10)H(14) reacts with para-C(6)H(4)(CHO)(COOH) in aqueous KOH solution to give the [nido-6-CB(9)H(11)-6-(C(6)H(4)-para-COOH)](-) anion 1, which undergoes cage closure with iodine in alkaline solution to give the [closo-2-CB(9)H(9)-2-(C(6)H(4)-para-COOH)](-) anion 2. Upon heating, anion 2 rearranges to form the [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(C(6)H(4)-para-COOH)](-) anion 3. Similarly, B(10)H(14) with glyoxylic acid OHCCOOH in aqueous KOH gives the [arachno-6-CB(9)H(13)-6-(COOH)](-) anion 4, which undergoes cage closure with iodine in alkaline solution to give the [closo-2-CB(9)H(9)-2-(COOH)](-) anion 5. Upon heating, anion 5 rearranges to give the [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(COOH)](-) anion 6. Reduction of the [COOH] anions 3 and 6 with diisobutylaluminium hydride gives the [CH(2)OH] hydroxy anions [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(C(6)H(4)-para-CH(2)OH)](-) and [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(CH(2)OH)](-) 8 respectively. The [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(C(6)H(4)-para-CH(2)OH)](-) anion 7 can also be made via isomerisation of the [closo-2-CB(9)H(9)-2-(C(6)H(4)-para-CH(2)OH)](-) anion 9, in turn obtained from the [nido-6-CB(9)H(11)-6-(C(6)H(4)-para-CH(2)OH)](-) anion 10, which is obtained from the reaction of B(10)H(14) with terephthaldicarboxaldehyde, C(6)H(4)-para-(CHO)(2), in aqueous KOH solution. Oxidation of the hydroxy anions 7 and 8 with pyridinium dichromate gives the aldehydic [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(C(6)H(4)-para-CHO)](-) anion 11 and the aldehydic [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-(CHO)](-) anion 12 respectively, characterised as their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives, the [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-C(6)H(4)-para-CH=N-NHC(6)H(3)(NO(2))(2)](-) anion 13 and the [closo-1-CB(9)H(9)-1-CH=N-NHC(6)H(3)(NO(2))(2)](-) anion respectively.     

Carboranes and baskets from reaction of B4H10 with allene

The reaction of the boron hydride B4H10 with allene was studied at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)//MP2/6-31G(d) level. The mechanism is surprisingly complex with 44 transition states and several branching points located. The four carboranes and one basket that have been observed experimentally are all connected by pathways that have very similar free energies of activation. In addition, two new structures, a basket (2,4-(CH2CH2CH2)B4H8, 5a) and a "classical" structure (1,4-(Me2C)bisdiborane, 7), which might be obtained from the B4H10 + C3H4 reaction under the right conditions (hot/cold, quenched, etc.) have been identified. The first branch point in the reaction is the competition between H2 elimination from B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 32.2 kcal/mol) and the hydroboration of allene by B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.3 kcal/mol). The next branch point in the hydroboration mechanism controls the formation of 2,4-(MeCHCH2)B4H8 (1) (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.5 kcal/mol) and arachno-1,2/arachno-1,3-Me2-1-CB4H7 (8 and 8a) (DeltaG(298 K) = 34.3 kcal/mol). Another branch point in the H2-elimination mechanism controls the formation of 1-Me-2,5-micro-CH2-1-CB4H7 (29) (DeltaG(298 K) = 0.1 kcal/mol) and 2,5-micro-CHMe-1-CB4H7 (25/26) (DeltaG(298 K) = 7.3 kcal/mol). Formation of 2-Me-2,3-C2B4H7, a carborane observed in the reaction of methylacetylene with B4H10, is calculated to be blocked by a high barrier for H2 elimination. All free energies are relative to B4H10 + allene. An interesting reaction step discovered is the "reverse hydroboration step" in which a hydrogen atom is transferred from carbon back to boron, which allows a CH hydrogen to shuttle between the terminal and central carbon of allene.     

New and versatile routes to zirconium imido dichloride compounds

Reactions of zirconium dialkyl- or bis(amido)-dichloride complexes "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]" or [Zr(NMe2)2Cl2(THF)2] with primary alkyl and aryl amines are described. Reaction of "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]" with RNH2 in THF afforded dimeric [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(THF)4](R=2,6-C6H3iPr2 (1), 2,6-C6H3Me2 (2) or Ph (3)), [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(THF)3](R=tBu (5), iPr (6), CH2Ph (7)), or the "ate" complex [Zr2(mu-NC6F5)2Cl6(THF)2{Li(THF)3}2](4, the LiCl coming from the in situ prepared "[Zr(CH2SiMe3)2Cl2(Et2O)2]"). With [Zr(NMe2)2Cl2(THF)2] the compounds [Zr2(mu-NR)2Cl4(L)x(L')y](R=2,6-C6H3iPr2 (8), 2,6-C6H3Me2 (9), Ph (10) or C6F5 (11); (L)x(L')y=(NHMe2)3(THF), (NHMe2)2(THF)2 or undefined), [Zr2(mu-NtBu)2Cl4(NHMe2)3] (12) and insoluble [Zr(NR)Cl2(NHMe2)]x(R=iPr (13) or CH2Ph (14)) were obtained. Attempts to form monomeric terminal imido compounds by reaction of or with an excess of pyridine led, respectively, to the corresponding dimeric adducts [Zr2(mu-2,6-C6H3Me2)2Cl4(py)4] (15) and [Zr2(mu-NtBu)2Cl4(py)3] (16). The X-ray structures of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 15 have been determined.     

Ruthenacarboranes from the reaction of nido-1,2-(Cp*RuH)2B3H7 with HC [triple bond] CCO2Me, Cp* = eta5-C5Me5. Hydrometalation, alkyne incorporation, and functional group modification via cooperative metal-boron interactions within a metallaborane cluster framework

Reaction of nido-1,2-(Cp*RuH)2B3H7, 1, and methyl acetylene monocarboxylate under kinetic control generates nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2(mu-C[[CO2Me]Me])B3H7 (a pair of geometric isomers, 3 and 5) and nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2(1,3-mu-C[[CH2CO2Me]H])B3H7, 4, which display the first examples of exo-cluster mu-alkylidene Ru-B bridges generated by hydrometalation of an alkyne on the cluster framework. Both 3 and 5, but not 4, rearrange into arachno-2,8-mu(C)-5-eta1(O)-Me[CO2Me]C-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2B3H7, 2, in which an unprecedented intramolecular coordination of the carbonyl oxygen atom of the alkyne substituent to a boron framework site opens the ruthenaborane skeleton. Compound 2, in turn, is an intermediate in the formation of the ruthenacarborane nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-3-OH-4-OMe-5-Me-4,5-C2B2H5, 12, in which the carbonyl-oxygen double bond has been cleaved as its oxygen atom inserts into a B-H bond and the carbonyl carbon inserts into the metallaborane framework. In a parallel reaction pathway, nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-5-CO2Me-4,5-C2B2H7, 6, nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-4-B(OH)2-5-CO2Me-4,5-C2B2H6, 16, and nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2(mu-H)(mu-BH2)-3-(CH2)2CO2Me-CO2Me-4,5-C2B2H4 (a pair of geometric isomers, 7 and 14, which contain an unusual Ru-B borane bridge) are formed. On heating, 7 rearranges to yield nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-3-(CH2)2CO2Me-4-BH2-5-CO2Me-4,5-C2B2H5, 13, whereas 14 converts to nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-3-(CH2)2CO2Me-4-CO2Me-4,5-C2B2H6, 8. Under thermodynamic control, nido-1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-4,5-B[(CH2)2CO2Me]CO(MeO)[C(CH2)CO2Me]-4,5-C2B2H6, 11, is the major product accompanied by lesser amounts of 6 and 1,2-(Cp*Ru)2-4-OMe-5-Me-4,5-C2B2H6, 10. Compound 11 features a five-membered heterocycle containing a boron atom. The structure of 7, which is an intermediate in the formation of 11, provides the basis for an explanation of this complex condensation of three alkynes. A previously unrecognized role for an exo-cluster bridging borene generated from the metallaborane skeleton by addition of the alkyne is also a feature of this chemistry. Reinsertion or loss of this boron fragment accounts for much of the chemistry observed. NMR experiments reveal labile intermediates, and one has been sufficiently characterized to provide mechanistic insight on the early stages of the alkyne-metallaborane addition reaction. All isolated compounds have been spectroscopically characterized, and most have been structurally characterized in the solid state.     

Expansion of iridaborane clusters by addition of monoborane. Novel metallaboranes and mechanistic detail

This work reports the results of a thermally driven cluster expansion of arachno-1-{eta5-C5Me5IrH2}B3H7, 1, with BH3.THF. In addition to the previously reported product, arachno-1-{eta5-C5Me5IrH}B4H9, 2, formed at lower temperatures, reaction at 100 degrees C permits the isolation of four new iridaboranes. Two products, nido-1-(eta5-C5Me5Ir)B5H9, 3, and nido-3-(eta5-C5Me5Ir)B9H13, 4, contain a single Ir atom and five and nine framework boron atoms, respectively. One, nido-3,4-(eta5-C5Me5Ir)2B8H12, 5, contains two Ir atoms and eight framework boron atoms. Their structures are predicted by the electron counting rules to be a nido-iridahexaborane, 3, nido-iridadecaborane, 4, and nido-diiridadecaborane, 5. The accuracy of these predictions in each case is established experimentally by spectroscopic characterization in solution and structure determinations in the solid state. A less stable metallaborane has been identified and the available spectroscopic and crystallographic information are consistent with the formulation nido-3,4-(eta5-C5Me5Ir)2B8H13(eta-BH2), 6, i.e., a species containing an exopolyhedral bridging BH group. These new observations, along with earlier ones on ruthenaborane cluster systems, are used to fully define a general mechanism for a cluster expansion reaction, i.e., addition of borane to form an exopolyhedral adduct followed by cage insertion.     

Diphosphacarborane analogues of ferrocene: the synthesis of two isomeric twelve-vertex closo-[(eta5-C5H5)FeP2CB8H9] complexes

The reaction of the Tl+ salt of the [nido-7,8,9-P2CB8H9]- anion (1-) with [CpFe(CO)2I](Cp =eta(5)-C5H5) in refluxing mesitylene for 12 h gives mixed-sandwich [1-Cp-closo-1,2,3,4-FeP2CB8H9] (2) (yield 63%). Reaction of the PPh4+ salt of the isomeric [nido-7,8,10-P2CB8H9]- anion 3- with [CpFe(CO)2I] in refluxing mesitylene gives [1-Cp-closo-1,2,3,5-FeP2CB8H9]4 (yield 56%), isomeric with 2. Compound 4 also results (yield 92%) from the sublimation of 2 under argon at ca. 350 degrees C. The constitution of all compounds is established by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 31P, and 13C; two-dimensional [11B-11B]-COSY, and 1H- 11B(selective)), further confirmed in the case of 4 by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

A mechanistic study of the utilization of arachno-diruthenaborane [(Cp*RuCO)2B2H6] as an active alkyne-cyclotrimerization catalyst

The reaction of nido-[1,2-(Cp*RuH)(2)B(3)H(7)] (1a, Cp*=η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [Mo(CO)(3)(CH(3)CN)(3)] under mild conditions yields the new metallaborane arachno-[(Cp*RuCO)(2)B(2)H(6)] (2). Compound 2 catalyzes the cyclotrimerization of a variety of internal- and terminal alkynes to yield mixtures of 1,3,5- and 1,2,4-substituted benzenes. The reactivities of nido-1a and arachno-2 with alkynes demonstrates that a change in geometry from nido to arachno drives a change in the reaction from alkyne-insertion to catalytic cyclotrimerization, respectively. Density functional calculations have been used to evaluate the reaction pathways of the cyclotrimerization of alkynes catalyzed by compound 2. The reaction involves the formation of a ruthenacyclic intermediate and the subsequent alkyne-insertion step is initiated by a [2+2] cycloaddition between this intermediate and an alkyne. The experimental and quantum-chemical results also show that the stability of the metallacyclic intermediate is strongly dependent on the nature of the substituents that are present on the alkyne.     

Reactions of arachno-6,8-C2B7H12- with electron deficient olefins: syntheses of cyano-substituted carboranes

The syntheses of new cyano-substituted derivatives of arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(13) have been achieved through the addition reactions of the arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12)(-) (1-) anion with cyano-activated olefins. The reaction of PSH+1- with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) yielded the unusual bridging compound PSH(+)endo-6-endo-7-[micro(2)-(C(CN)(2))(2)]-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12)(-) (PSH+2-)) resulting from cycloaddition of the TCNE at the C6-B7 edge of the anion. Consistent with its hypho skeletal electron count, an X-ray crystallographic study and DFT/GIAO calculations confirm 2(-) has a more open structure than 1-. The reaction of 1- with acrylonitrile resulted in the formation of endo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(11)(-) (3-), which, upon acidification, afforded endo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12) (3) in high yield. X-ray crystallographic and DFT/GIAO studies established that the cyanoethyl fragment in 3 is substituted at the endo-position of the C6 cage-carbon. Heating 3 in THF at 50 degrees C or in toluene at 110 degrees C resulted in the quantitative isomerization of the cyanoethyl-substituent from the endo- to the exo-position at C6 to yield exo-6-(NCCH(2)CH(2))-arachno-6,8-C(2)B(7)H(12) (4). This is the first example of an endo to exo isomerization to be observed at a cage-carbon of a carborane. While heating 3 resulted in isomerization to 4, heating 3- in the presence of a small amount of 3 yielded the new ethylene-bridged 10-vertex tricarbaborane micro(6,9)-(CH(2)CH(2))-arachno-5,6,9-C(3)B(7)H(11) (5) resulting from reduction of the 3- pendant nitrile group, followed by deammination and carbon insertion.     

A practical synthesis of isomerically pure 1,10-difunctionalized derivatives of the [closo-1-CB9H10] anion

The isomer-free [closo-1-CB9H(8)-1-COOH-10-I]- anion was prepared in four steps and 10% overall yield from B10H14. The key step is the skeletal isomerization of the [closo-2-CB9H8-2-COOH-7-I]- anion to a mixture of the 10- and 6-iodo derivatives of [closo-1-CB9H(9)-1-COOH]- formed in up to a 3:1 ratio. The carboxylic acid 4 was converted to the amine [closo-1-CB9H(8)-1-NH(2)-10-I]- using the Curtius reaction. The relative thermodynamic stability of each product was calculated at the DFT and MP2 levels of theory. The regioselectivity of electrophilic substitution in [closo-CB9H10]- derivatives was briefly investigated using the NBO population analysis of the MP2 wave function.     

Diazotization of the amino acid [closo-1-CB9H8-1-COOH-6-NH3] and reactivity of the [closo-1-CB9H8-1-COO-6-N2]- anion

A comparative study of the reactivity of dinitrogen acids [closo-1-CB(9)H(8)-1-COOH-10-N(2)] (3[10]) and [closo-1-CB(9)H(8)-1-COOH-6-N(2)] (3[6]) was conducted by diazotization of a mixture of amino acids [closo-1-CB(9)H(8)-1-COOH-6-NH(3)] (1[6]) and [closo-1-CB(9)H(8)-1-COOH-10-NH(3)] (1[10]) with NO(+)BF(4)(-) in the presence of a heterocyclic base (pyridine, 4-methoxypyridine, 2-picoline, or quinoline). The 10-amino acid 1[10] formed an isolable stable 10-dinitrogen acid 3[10], while the 6-dinitrogen carboxylate 3[6](-) reacted in situ, giving products of N-substitution at the B6 position with the heterocyclic solvent (4[6]). The molecular and crystal structures for pyridinium acid 4[6]a were determined by X-ray crystallography. The electronic structures and reactivity of the 6-dinitrogen derivatives of the {1-CB(9)} cluster were assessed computationally at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and MP2/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory and compared to those of the 10-dinitrogen, 2-dinitrogen, and 1-dinitrogen analogues.