The closo-Cluster Triad: B9X9, [B9X9]· –, and [B9X9]2– with Tricapped Trigonal Prisms (X = Cl,Br, I). Syntheses,Crystal and Electronic Structures

Halogenation of nido-B₁₀H₁₄ with C₂H₂Cl₄, C₂Cl₆, Br₂, or I₂, produces by cluster degradation the (2 n)-closo-clusters B₉X₉ (X = Cl, Br, I). The synthesis of salts of the perhalogenated radical anions of the type (2 n + 1)-closo-[B₉X₉]^{· –} and of the corresponding dianions (2 n + 2)-closo-[B₉X₉]^2– from neutral B₉X₉ is described [n is the number of cluster atoms; (2 n), (2 n + 1), and (2 n + 2) is the number of cluster electrons]. Molecular and crystal structures of B₉Cl₉, B₉Br₉, [(C₆H₅)₄P][B₉Br₉] · CH₂Cl₂, and [(C₄H₉)₄N]₂[B₉Br₉] · CH₂Cl₂ have been determined via X-ray diffraction. All three oxidation states of the cluster retain the tricapped trigonal prism. The reduction of the clusters B₉X₉ was shown by cyclic voltammetry in CH₂Cl₂ to proceed via two successive one-electron reversible steps, separated by at least 0.4 V. The paramagnetic radical anions [B₉X₉]^{· –} (X = Cl, Br) were further characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements of [Cp₂Fe][B₉X₉] and [Cp₂Co][B₉X₉], respectively. The EPR spectra of [B₉X₉]^{· –} (X = Cl, Br, I) in glassy frozen CH₂Cl₂ solutions showed increasing g anisotropy for the heavier halogen derivatives, illustrating significant halogen participation at the singly occupied MO. The ¹¹B NMR spectra of CD₂Cl₂ solutions of the neutral clusters B₉X₉ exhibit only one sharp resonance, indicating that the boron atoms are highly fluxional in solution. In contrast, two different boron resonances as expected for a rigid tricapped trigonal prism are clearly observed for the [B₉X₉]^2– dianions in solutions and for solid B₉Br₉ in the ¹¹B MAS NMR spectra. Temperature dependent ¹¹B MAS NMR experiments on B₉Br₉ and [B₉Br₉]^2– in the solid state show a reversible coalescence of the two resonances at higher temperature. ¹¹B MAS NMR spectra and DTA measurements of [B₉Br₉]^2– showed a phase transition.