Synthesis and structure of halogen derivatives of 9-dimethylsulfonium-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane [9-Me2S-7,8-C2B9H11]

Halogenation of 9-dimethylsulfonium-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborane [9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁] with N-chlorosuccinimide, bromine and iodine gave the expected corresponding halogen derivatives [9-SMe₂-11-X-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀], where X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3). In the bromination reaction, [9-SMe₂-6-Br-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (4) was isolated as a minor product being the first example of substitution at a “lower” belt of the 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate cage. The use of excess of bromine resulted in dibromo derivative [9-SMe₂-6,11-Br₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₉] (5). Structures of the compounds prepared were determined using ¹¹B-¹¹B COSY NMR spectroscopy (for all halogen derivatives) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (for compounds 2, 3, and 5).     

Formation of ferraboranes from pentaborane(9) or BH3 · thf and an electron-rich cyclopentadienyl iron phosphine hydride

[(η⁵-C₅R₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] (R = H, Me) can be made in good yields in a simple one-pot reaction between FeCl₂, PMe₃, C₅R₅H (R = H, Me) and Na/Hg in thf. Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with pentaborane(9) gives the known metallaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (1) in improved yield as well as the new metallaboranes [(η-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₈{μ-5,6-Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)(μ-6,7-H)}] (2), [(η-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)-arachno-2-FeB₃H₈] (3), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂-capped-nido-2,3-Fe₂B₄H₈] (4), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₄H₇(PMe₃)] (5) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₈(PMe₃)] (6). Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with pentaborane(9) gives predominantly [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (7) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(PMe₃)-arachno-2-FeB₃H₈] (8). Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with 2 equiv. of BH₃ · thf gives low yields of ferrocene and compound 3. Compound 7 thermally isomerises to the apical isomer [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (9) in low yield. Compounds 1 and 7 deprotonate cleanly in the presence of KH at the unique B-H-B bridge to give [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₉⁻][K⁺] (10) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₉⁻][K⁺] (11) respectively, whilst 6 deprotonates more slowly at one of two equivalent B-H-B bridges to give the fluxional anion [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₇(PMe₃)⁻] (12).     

The preparation of [closo-1-CB9H8-1-COOH-10-(4-C3H7C5H9S)] as intermediate to polar liquid crystals

The preparation of iodo acid [closo-1-CB₉H₈-1-COOH-10-I]⁻ (1) is optimized and scaled from 1 to 40 g of B₁₀H₁₄. The improved preparation of the [arachno-6-CB₉H₁₃-6-COOH]⁻ (5) uses four times smaller volume and can be run conveniently in up to 40 g scale in a 3-L vessel. The optimized oxidation of 5 to [closo-2-CB₉H₉-2-COOH]⁻ (4) requires less oxidant, 12 times smaller volume, and significantly shorter reaction time. The overall yields of the iodo acid 1 as the [NMe₄]⁺ salt are typically 8-10% (10-12 g) for 40 g of B₁₀H₁₄. The iodo acid 1 was transformed to amino acid 8, then to dinitrogen acid 10, and finally to sulfonium acid 2[3] in overall yield of about 13%. The search for a more efficient phosphine ligand for the Pd-catalyzed amination process was not fruitful. Three routes to the sulfonium acid 2[n] were investigated, and the best yield of about 47% was obtained for Cs₂CO₃-assisted cycloalkylation. Liquid crystalline ester of acid 2[3] and 4-butoxyphenol was prepared and investigated.     

Polyhedral metallathiaborane chemistry: Synthesis and characterisation of metallathiaboranes based on the twelve-vertex icosahedral closo-{MSB10H10} unit, where M is Rh or Ir

The reaction of [nido-7-SB₁₀H₁₂] with [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] in the presence of N,N,N′N′-tetramethylnaphthalene-1,8-diamine (tmnd) in CH₂Cl₂ gives twelve-vertex [2,2-(PPh₃)₂-2-H-closo-2,1-RhSB₁₀H₁₀] (1) and eleven-vertex [8,8-(PPh₃)₂-nido-8,7-RhSB₉H₁₀] (2), as major products, plus the dimeric species [{(PPh₃)-closo-RhSB₁₀H₁₀}₂] (3) as a minor product. Reaction of 1 with PMe₂Ph in CH₂Cl₂ results in phosphine exchange and hydride substitution, affording the chloro analogue of 1, [2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-2-Cl-closo-2,1-RhSB₁₀H₁₀] (4). By contrast, reaction between [IrCl(PPh₃)₃] and [nido-7-SB₁₀H₁₂] in CH₂Cl₂ with tmnd affords only one product, twelve-vertex [2,2-(PPh₃)₂-2-H-closo-2,1-IrSB₁₀H₁₀] (5). [RhCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]₂ with [nido-7-SB₁₀H₁₂] under the same conditions gives twelve-vertex [2-(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-closo-2,1-RhSB₁₀H₁₀] (6). All the compounds are characterised by NMR spectroscopy, and by mass spectrometry, and the molecular structure of [2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-2-Cl-closo-2,1-RhSB₁₀H₁₀] (4) was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This last rhodathiaborane 4 is fluxional in solution through a process that involves a reversible partial rotation of the {RhCl(PMe₂Ph)₂} unit above the {SB₄} pentagonal face of the {SB₁₀H₁₀} fragment.     

Polyhedral monocarbaborane chemistry : Reactions of the [6-Ph-nido-6-CB9H11] anion with two-electron donors to yield a series of neutral arachno and closo ten-vertex monocarbaborane derivatives

Reaction of the ten-vertex [6-Ph-nido-6-CB₉H₁₁]⁻ anion (1) with two-electron donor ligands L, where L is SMe₂, NH₂Ph, NC₅H₅, NC₅H₄-para-CH₂Ph, NC₅H₄-para-Ph or NC₉H₇ (where NC₉H₇ is quinoline) in the presence of {FeCl₃(OH₂)₆} gives the six neutral arachno ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [6-Ph-9-L-arachno-6-CB₉H₁₂], compounds 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11, respectively, isolatable in yields of up to 63%. On prolonged treatment with {FeCl₃(OH₂)₆} oxidative cluster closure of the four compounds 4, 7, 9 and 11 that have pyridine-type ligands gives the neutral closo ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [1-Ph-6-L-closo-1-CB₉H₈], compounds 6, 8, 10 and 12, respectively, in yields of 49-92%. All new species 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy. [This paper is an annotated exposition of parts of an oral presentation at the Third Pan-European Meeting of Boron Chemists, EUROBORON-3, Pruhonice, The Czech Republic, September 2004, of which the proceedings constitute this volume of Journal of Organometallic Chemistry.]     

Reaction of nido-1,2-(CpRuH)2B3H7 with ethynylferrocene to yield new metallacarboranes

Addition of ethynylferrocene to nido-1,2-(Cp^∗RuH)₂B₃H₇ (1) at ambient temperature leads to nido-1,2-(Cp^∗Ru)₂(1,5-μ-C{Fc}Me)B₃H₇ (2, 3) and closo-4-Fc-1,2-(Cp^∗RuH)₂-4,6-C₂B₂H₃ (4). Compounds 2 and 3 represent a pair of geometric isomers, nido-species in which the regiochemistry of the alkyne reduction conforms to the Markovnikoff rule. Compound 4 is an octahedral structure in which the inserted alkyne is on an open face of the closo cluster.     

Complexes of titanium and zirconium based on [C5Me4CH2-(2-C5H4N)] ligand

Half-sandwich [η⁵:η¹-κN-C₅Me₄CH₂-(2-C₅H₄N)]MCl₃ (M = Ti (4), Zr (5)) and sandwich [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂-(2-C₅H₄N)][η⁵-C₅Me₅]ZrCl₂ (6) ring-peralkylated complexes have been prepared and characterized. Evidence of the intramolecular coordination of the side-chain pyridyl group both in 4 and 5 in solutions is provided by NMR spectroscopy data. Crystal structure of an adduct 5-py with one molecule of pyridine has been established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

The effect that 6-tert-butoxyhexyl functionalization has on ethylene polymerization in ansa-zirconocene dichlorides

Ethylene polymerization studies have been carried out with novel precatalysts of the type: [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-X(t-BuOC₆H₁₂)Me-(η⁵-C₅H₄)]ZrCl₂ [X=C [1a], Si [2a]], [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-XMe₂-(η⁵-(t-BuOC₆H₁₂C₅H₃))] ZrCl₂ [X=C [3a], Si [4a]] in the presence of excess methylalumoxane (MAO) to compare their catalytic activity and to delineate the effect of the 6-t-butoxyhexyl functionality on ethylene polymerization. The precatalysts [1a] and [2a] with the bridge functionality showed higher activity in ethylene polymerization than the corresponding complexes [3a] and [4a] which have it on the Cp ring moiety. On the other hand the silyl bridged complexes [2a] and [4a] produced a higher molecular weight polyethylene than the carbon-bridged one, regardless of the location of functional group.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of 11-vertex platinaborane compounds having nido-PtB10H12 and nido-Pt2B9H10 skeletons

The reaction of closo-[B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻ with [PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] in MeOH at reflux affords the B-methoxy substituted 11-vertex nido-platinaborane compound [(PPh₃)₂PtB₁₀H₁₀-8-H_0.5(OCH₃)_0.5-10-(OCH₃)] (1) and the known species [(PPh₃)₂PtB₁₀H₁₁-8-(OCH₃)] (2) and 1,6-(PPh₃)₂B₁₀H₈ (3). The same reaction under solvothermal condition gives the partially degraded diplatinaborane [(PPh₃)₂(μ-PPh₂)Pt₂B₉H₇-3,9,11-(OMe)₃] (4) with a novel nido-Pt₂B₉H₁₀ skeleton. The new metallaborane compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray analyses. In particular, computational/theoretical chemistry supports the ultimate structural confirmation of 4. The structures of these metallaboranes exhibit interesting intra- and/or intermolecular C-H?O hydrogen bonding interactions.     

Steric and electronic effects in stabilizing allyl-palladium complexes of “P-N-P” ligands, X2PN(Me)PX2 (X = OC6H5 or OC6H3Me2-2,6)

The chemistry of η³-allyl palladium complexes of the diphosphazane ligands, X₂PN(Me)PX₂ [X = OC₆H₅ (1) or OC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (2)] has been investigated.The reactions of the phenoxy derivative, (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂ with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = H or Me; R′ = H, R″ = Me) give exclusively the palladium dimer, [Pd₂{μ-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}₂Cl₂] (3); however, the analogous reaction with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = Ph) gives the palladium dimer and the allyl palladium complex [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(1)](PF₆) (R′ = R″ = Ph) (4). On the other hand, the 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituted derivative 2 reacts with (allyl) palladium chloro dimers to give stable allyl palladium complexes, [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) [R′ = R″ = H (5), Me (7) or Ph (8); R′ = H, R″ = Me (6)].Detailed NMR studies reveal that the complexes 6 and 7 exist as a mixture of isomers in solution; the relatively less favourable isomer, anti-[Pd(η³-1-Me-C₃H₄)(2)](PF₆) (6b) and syn/anti-[Pd(η³-1,3-Me₂-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) (7b) are present to the extent of 25% and 40%, respectively. This result can be explained on the basis of the steric congestion around the donor phosphorus atoms in 2. The structures of four complexes (4, 5, 7a and 8) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; only one isomer is observed in the solid state in each case.     

Synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of the triphenylphosphine derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion, closo-[B12H11P(C6H5)3][N(n-C4H9)4]

The reaction of a molar excess of closo-[B₁₂H₁₁I][N(n-C₄H₉)₄]₂ (1) with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0), Pd(0)L₄, yields to the formation of the title monoanionic compound, closo-[1-B₁₂H₁₁P(C₆H₅)₃][N(n-C₄H₉)₄] (2). The structure of 2 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis performed on a single crystal. The mechanism of formation of 2 is also discussed. We suggested a two-step mechanism for the formation of 2 consisting in a oxidative addition of the palladium complex followed by a reductive elimination involving P(C₆H₅)₃ and assisted by Na₂CO₃. To our knowledge, this is the first example of monosubstitution of B₁₂ with formation of boron-phosphorus bond.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Metallacarboranes and triple-decker complexes with the (C4Me4)Pt fragment

Complex Cp∗PtCl₂ (Cp∗ = η-C₄Me₄) reacts with the carborane anions [7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁]²⁻ and [9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ giving platinacarboranes Cp∗Pt(η-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁) (1) and [Cp∗Pt(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)]⁺ (2), respectively. Reactions of the [Cp∗Pt]²⁺ fragment (as a labile nitromethane solvate) with the sandwich compounds Cp∗Fe(η-C₅H₃Me₂BMe) and Cp∗Rh(η⁵-C₄H₄BPh) afford the triple-decker cations [Cp∗Pt(μ-η:η-C₅H₃Me₂BMe)FeCp∗]²⁺ (3) and [Cp∗Pt(μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)RhCp∗]²⁺ (4) with bridging boratabenzene and borole ligands. The structures of 1 and 3(CF₃SO₃)₂ were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Syntheses and catalytic activities of Group 4 metal complexes derived from C(cage)-appended cyclohexyloxocarborane trianion

The reaction of Li[closo-1-Me-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] with cyclohexene oxide produced closo-1-Me-2-(2′-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1) in 86% yield. Decapitation of (1) with potassium hydroxide in refluxing ethanol gave the corresponding cage-opened potassium salt of the carborane anion, [nido-1-Me-2-(2′-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (2) in 82% yield. Deprotonation of (2) with two equivalents of n-butyllithium in THF at −78 °C, followed by its further reaction with anhydrous MCl₄ · 2THF (M = Ti, Zr) produced the corresponding d⁰-half-sandwich metallacarboranes, closo-1-M(Cl)-2-Me-3-(2′-σ-O-cyclohexyl)-η⁵-2,3-C₂B₉H₉ (3 M = Zr; 4 M = Ti), in 59% and 51% yields, respectively. Reaction of Li[closo-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁] with Merrifield’s peptide resin (1%) in refluxing THF gave the ortho-carborane-functionalized polymer (5) in 88% yield. The corresponding closo-1-polystyryl-2-(2′-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6) was produced in 94% yield by refluxing a mixture of the lithium salt of (5) and cyclohexene oxide in THF for 2 days. Compound (6) was decapitated, deprotonated and then reacted with ZrCl₄ · 2THF to produce a polymer-supported d⁰-half-sandwich metallacarborane closo-1-Zr(Cl)-2-polystyryl-3-(2′-σ-O-cyclohexyl)-η⁵-2,3-C₂B₉H₉ (7) in 41% yield. Compounds (3) and (7), in the presence of MMAO-7 (13% ISOPAR-E), were found to catalyze the polymerization of ethylene and vinyl chloride in toluene to give high molecular weight PE (9.4 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 1.8)) and PVC (2.1 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 1.6)), respectively.     

A comparative study of metallating agents in the synthesis of [C,N,N′]-cycloplatinated compounds derived from biphenylimines

The reactions of ligands 4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1a) and 2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1b) in front of cis-[PtCl₂(dmso)₂] or cis-[PtPh₂(SMe₂)₂] produced compounds [PtCl₂{4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2aCl) and [PtCl₂{2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2bCl) or [PtPh₂{4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2aPh) and [PtPh₂{2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2bPh). From all these compounds, the corresponding cyclometallated [C,N,N′] platinum(II) compounds 3aCl, 3bCl, 3aPh and 3bPh were obtained although under milder conditions and with higher yields for the phenyl derivatives. The reaction of compounds 3aPh and 3bPh with methyl iodide gave cyclometallated [C,N,N′] platinum(IV) compounds 4aPh and 4bPh of formula [PtMePhI{C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}]. Compounds 3aCl and 3bCl containing a chloro ligand, although unreactive towards methyl iodide, undergo oxidative addition of chlorine to produce the corresponding platinum(IV) compounds [PtCl₃{4-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (6aCl and 6bCl). All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and crystal structures of compounds 3bCl and 6bCl are also reported.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of four Pd(II) complexes containing nido or closo carborane diphosphine ligands

Three Pd(II) complexes [Pd₂(μ-Cl)₂{7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀}₂] · 0.25CH₂Cl₂ (1), [Pd{7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀}₂] · 4CHCl₃ (2) and [PdCl₂(1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀)] (3) have been synthesized by the reactions of 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ with PdCl₂ in acetonitrile, cyanophenyl and dichloromethane, respectively. A fourth complex, [PdI₂(1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀)] (4), was obtained by a ligand exchange reaction through the substitution of the Cl⁻ of complex 3 with I⁻. All four complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. Single crystal X-ray determination showed that the carborane cage, nido for 1, 2 and closo for 3, 4, was coordinated bidentately to the Pd atom through the two P atoms, and the geometry at the Pd atom was square-planar in all the complexes.     

Reactions of pentaborane(9) with electron-rich molybdenum and tungsten phosphine polyhydrides

Reaction of [W(PMe₂Ph)₃H₆] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[W(PMe₂Ph)₃H₂B₄H₈] (1) as well as nido-2-[W(PMe₂Ph)₃HB₅H₁₀] (2). The crystal structure of (2) has been determined. Compound (2) has a novel metallaborane structure containing an edge-bridging {BH₃} group between the tungsten atom and one of the basal boron atoms in a “nido-WB₄” pyramid. Reaction of [W(PMe₃)₄(η²-CH₂PMe₂)H] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[W(PMe₃)₃H₂B₄H₈] (3) whilst reaction of [Mo(L)₄H₄] with pentaborane(9) gives nido-2-[Mo(L)₃H₂B₄H₈] [L = PMe₃ (4), PMe₂Ph (5)]. Treatment of [Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄] with excess BH₃ · thf gives the known borohydride [Mo(PMe₃)₄H(η²-BH₄)].     

Solvent-dependent formation of two different Cd(II) complexes with p-BrC6H4C(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)2 (HL). Crystallographic modification of Cd(HL)2L2

Reaction of the potassium salt of N-(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)-p-bromothiobenzamide p-BrC₆H₄C(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)₂ (HL) with Cd(II) cations in freshly dried and distilled EtOH leads exclusively to the complex [Cd(p-BrC₆H₄C(S)NH₂-S)(L-O,S)₂] ([Cd(L^I)L₂]), while the same reaction in H₂O leads to the complex [Cd(HL-O)₂(L-O,S)₂] ([Cd(HL)₂L₂]). The corresponding reactions with Zn(II) always lead to the complex [Zn(L-O,S)₂] ([ZnL₂]) regardless of the solvent. The crystal structure of [Cd(HL)₂L₂]^.2/3H₂O reveals to be a polymorph to the previously reported anhydrous [Cd(HL)₂L₂].     

Alternative syntheses and X-ray diffraction analyses of the parent tricarbaborane compounds [nido-7,8,9-C3B8H11], [nido-7,8,10-C3B8H11] and [1-(η-C5H5)-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC3B8H11]

Reaction of the neutral tricarbaborane nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₂ (1) with triethylamine in CH₂Cl₂ led to quantitative deprotonation and isolation of the corresponding Et₃NH⁺ salt of the [nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ anion (2). This was converted into PSH⁺ and Me₄N⁺ salts via metathetic cation exchange. Heating of the solid Me₄N⁺[7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ in mineral oil at 350 °C for 2 h resulted in thermal rearrangement and isolation of the cage isomeric compound Me₄N⁺[7,8,10-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻. Finally, compound 1 was directly complexed via reaction with [CpFe(CO)₂]₂ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) to generate the ferratricarbollide sandwich [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₁] (4) in 60% yield. The structures of all the generic compounds of tricarbollide chemistry, 1 (PSH⁺ salt), 2 (MePPh₃⁺salt), and 4, were established unambiguously by an X-ray diffraction analysis.