The preparation,isomerization, and characterization of some phosphagerma- and arsagermacarboranes

Treatment of the disodium salts of 7,8- and 7,9-B₉H₉CHE^2? with germanium diiodide in refluxing benzene results in the formation of 1,2,3- and 1,2,7-GeB₉H₉CHE (E = P or As), icosahedral boranes containing three different heteroatoms in the cage. Heating 1,2,7-GeB₉H₉CHP at 512° for 8 hours in an evacuated sealed tube yields a mixture of three new isomers one of which has been isolated and characterized.