Probing for Structural Features of Boron‐rich Solids with EELS

Crystal structures of boron‐rich solids are characterized by boron atom arrangements that are quite diverse: chains, sheets, and a variety of polyhedra like octahedra, pentagonal bipyramids, cuboctahedra, and icosahedra are observed. Probing by electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS), these different structural features are mirrored by a pronounced variation of the energy loss near‐edge fine structure (ELNES) of the B_K ionization edges. For identification, characteristics of these fine structures can be used as so‐called “coordination fingerprints”, which is shown for solids like MgB₂, TaB₂, ZrB₂, CaB₆, SrB₆, BaB₆, NaB₅C, KB₅C, Na₃B₂₀, Na₂B₂₉, UB₁₂, ZrB₁₂, LaB₂C₂, CeB₂C₂, and CaB₂C₂. In addition, theoretical calculations of ELNES based on the density functional theory (FLAPW method) are presented for an example of boron‐rich solids.     

LiB12PC, the first boron-rich metal boride with phosphorus--synthesis, crystal structure, hardness, spectroscopic investigations

We present synthesis, crystal structure, hardness, and IR/Raman and UV/Vis spectra of a new compound with the mean composition LiB₁₂PC. Transparent single crystals were synthesised from Ga, Li, B, red phosphorus and C at 1500 °C in boron nitride crucibles welded in Ta ampoules. Depending on the type of boron used for the synthesis we obtained colourless, brown and red single crystals with slightly different P/C ratios. Colourless LiB₁₂PC crystallizes orthorhombic in the space group Imma (No. 74) with a=10.188(2) Å, b=5.7689(11) Å, c=8.127(2) Å and Z=4. Brown LiB₁₂P_0.89C_1.11 is very similar, but with a lower P content. Red single crystals of LiB₁₂P_1.13C_0.87 have a larger unit cell with a=10.4097(18) Å, b=5.9029(7) Å, c=8.2044(12) Å. EDX measurements confirm that the red crystals contain more phosphorus than the other ones. The crystal structure is characterized by a covalent network of B₁₂ icosahedra connected by exohedral B? B bonds and P? P, P? C or C? C units. Li atoms are located in interstitials. The structure is closely related to MgB₇, LiB₁₃C₂ and ScB₁₃C. LiB₁₂PC fulfils the electron counting rules of Wade and also Longuet‐Higgins. Measurements of Vickers micro‐hardness (H_V=27 GPa) revealed that LiB₁₂PC is a hard material. The optical band gaps obtained from UV/Vis spectra match the colours of the crystals. Furthermore we report on the IR and Raman spectra.     

Functionalized boranes for hydrogen storage

Using density functional theory, the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange‐correlation potential and Møller–Plesset perturbation theory we study the hydrogen uptake of Li‐ and Mg‐doped boranes. Specifically, we calculate the structures and binding energies of hydrogen molecules sequentially attached to LiB₆H₇, LiB₁₂H₁₃, Li₂B₆H₆, Li₂B₁₂H_12, MgB₆H₆, and MgB₁₂H₁₂. Up to three H₂ molecules can be bound quasi‐molecularly to each of the metal cations with binding energies per H₂ molecule ranging between 0.07 eV and 0.27 eV. The corresponding gravimetric densities lie in the range of 3.49 to 12 wt %, not counting the H atoms bound chemically to the B atoms.     

Li2B12 and Li3B12: Prediction of the Smallest Tubular and Cage‐like Boron Structures

An intriguing structural transition from the quasi‐planar form of B₁₂ cluster upon the interaction with lithium atoms is reported. High‐level computations show that the lowest energy structures of LiB₁₂, Li₂B₁₂, and Li₃B₁₂ have quasi‐planar (C_s), tubular (D_6d), and cage‐like (C_s) geometries, respectively. The energetic cost of distorting the B₁₂ quasi‐planar fragment is overcompensated by an enhanced electrostatic interaction between the Li cations and the tubular or cage‐like B₁₂ fragments, which is the main reason of such drastic structural changes, resulting in the smallest tubular (Li₂B₁₂) and cage‐like (Li₃B₁₂) boron structures reported to date.     

MgNB9, a new magnesium nitridoboride

The structure of a new magnesium nitridoboride, MgNB₉, has been refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data. The Mg and N atoms lie on sites with crystallographic 3m symmetry. The structure consists of two layers alternating along the c axis. The NB₆ layer, with B₁₂ icosahedra, has the C₂B₁₃ structure type. Within this layer, boron icosahedra are bonded to N atoms, each coordinating to three boron polyhedra. Another MgB₃ layer, with B₆ octahedra, does not belong to any known structure type. The boron icosahedra and octahedra are connected to each other, thus forming a three‐dimensional boron framework.     

Sur le diborure et le tétraborure de magnésium. Considérations cristallochimiques sur les tétraborures

MgB₂ and MgB₄ have been prepared at high temperature in sealed molybdenum vessels from mixtures of the elements. The utilization of an excess of metal in the vessel generates a pressure of magnesium vapor which inhibits thermal decomposition of the compounds during the synthesis. The structure of MgB₄ has been established from single crystal data collected on an automatic diffractometer. MgB₄ is orthorhombic, space group Pnam with a = 5.464; b = 7.472; c = 4.428Å and Z = 4. The structure of MgB₄, is based on chains of boron pentagonal pyramids in which the averaged BB bond is 1.787 Å. Interchain BB bonds of 1.730 Å are responsible for the three-dimensional boron framework. The Mg atoms, located in tunnels, form zigzag chains. The structure of MgB₄ is compared to those of ThB₄ and CrB₄; it is concluded that the size of the metal atom plays an important role in the nature of the boron framework which exists. In MgB₄, the fundamental unit of the boron skeleton is a pentagonal pyramid; a new feature, in boron-rich borides where this type of coordination polyhedron was previously found only in B₁₂ icosahedra.     

Prediction of Boron–Boron Triple‐Bond Polymers Stabilized by Janus‐Type Bis(N‐heterocyclic) Carbenes

A class of polymeric compounds containing boron–boron triple bonds stabilized by N‐heterocyclic biscarbenes is proposed. Since a triply bonded B₂ is related to its third excited state, the predicted macromolecule would be composed by several units of an electronically excited first‐row homonuclear dimer. Moreover, it is shown that the replacement of biscarbene with N₂ or CO as spacers could change the bonding profile of the boron–boron units to a cumulene‐like structure. Based on these results, different types of diboryne polymers are proposed, which could lead to an unprecedented set of boron materials with distinct physical properties. The novel diboryne macromolecules could be synthesized by the reaction of Janus‐type biscarbenes with tetrabromodiborane, B₂Br₄, and sodium naphthalenide, [Na(C₁₀H₈)], similarly to Braunschweig’s work on the room temperature stable boron–boron triple bond compounds (Science, 2012 , 336, 1420).     

Synthesis of Globular Precursors

o‐Carborane (C₂B₁₀H₁₂) was adapted to perform as the core of globular macromolecules, dendrons or dendrimers. To meet this objective, precisely defined substitution patterns of terminal olefin groups on the carborane framework were subjected to Heck cross‐coupling reactions or hydroboration leading to hydroxyl terminated arms. These led to new terminal groups (chloro, bromo, and tosyl leaving groups, organic acid, and azide) that permitted ester production, click chemistry, and oxonium ring opening to be performed as examples of reactions that demonstrate the wide possibilities of the globular icosahedral carboranes to produce new dendritic or dendrimer‐like structures. Polyanionic species were obtained in high yield through the ring‐opening reaction of cyclic oxonium compound [3,3′‐Co(8‐C₄H₈O₂‐1,2‐C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′‐C₂B₉H₁₁)] by using terminal hydroxyl groups as nucleophiles. These new polyanionic compounds that contain multiple metallacarborane clusters at their periphery may prove useful as new classes of compounds for boron neutron capture therapy with enhanced water solubility and as cores to make a new class of high‐boron globular macromolecules.     

Electron‐Deficient Triborane and Tetraborane Ring Compounds: Synthesis,Structure, and Bonding

Electron‐deficient small boron rings are unique in their formation of σ‐ and π‐delocalized electron systems as well as the avoidance of “classical” structures with two‐center‐two‐electron (2c,2e) bonds. These rings are tolerant of several skeletal electron numbers, which makes their redox chemistry highly interesting. In the past few decades, a range of stable compounds have been synthesized with various electron numbers in their B₃ and B₄ cores. The electronic structures were evaluated by quantum‐chemical calculations. On the other hand, the chemistry of these rings is still very much underdeveloped, being generally limited to the protonation and redox reactions of individual systems. The linkage of several B₃ and/or B₄ ring systems should give compounds with attractive electronic properties, thus leading the way to novel boron‐based materials. By summarizing important experimental and theoretical results, this Review intends to provide the basis for the exploration of the chemistry of these rings and, in particular, their integration into larger molecular architectures.     

The Triboracyclopropenyl Dianion: The Lightest Possible Main‐Group‐Element Hückel π Aromatic

Hückel π aromaticity is typically a domain of carbon‐rich compounds. Only very few analogues with non‐carbon frameworks are currently known, all involving the heavier elements. The isolation of the triboracyclopropenyl dianion is presented, a boron‐based analogue of the cyclopropenyl cation, which belongs to the prototypical class of Hückel π aromatics. Reduction of Cl₂BNCy₂ by sodium metal produced [B₃(NCy₂)₃]^2?, which was isolated as its dimeric Na⁺ salt (Na₄[B₃(NCy₂)₃]₂?2 DME; 1 ) in 45 % yield and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements established an extremely high oxidation potential for 1 (E_pc=?2.42 V), which was further confirmed by reactivity studies. The Hückel‐type π aromatic character of the [B₃(NCy₂)₃]^2? dianion was verified by various theoretical methods, which clearly indicated π aromaticity for the B₃ core of a similar magnitude to that in [C₃H₃]⁺ and benzene.     

Hexagonal Bipyramidal [Ta2B6]−/0 Clusters: B6 Rings as Structural Motifs

It has been a long‐sought goal in cluster science to discover stable atomic clusters as building blocks for cluster‐assembled nanomaterials, as exemplified by the fullerenes and their subsequent bulk syntheses. ¹ , ² Clusters have also been considered as models to understand bulk properties, providing a bridge between molecular and solid‐state chemistry. ³ Because of its electron deficiency, boron is an interesting element with unusual polymorphism. While bulk boron is known to be dominated by the three‐dimensional (3D) B₁₂ icosahedral motifs, ⁴ new forms of elemental boron are continuing to be discovered. ⁵ In contrast to the 3D cages commonly found in bulk boron, in the gas phase two‐dimensional (2D) boron clusters are prevalent. ⁶ – ⁸ The unusual planar boron clusters have been suggested as potential new bulking blocks or ligands in chemistry. ^6a Herein we report a joint experimental and theoretical study on the [Ta₂B₆]⁻ and [Ta₂B₆] clusters. We found that the most stable structures of both the neutral and anion are D_6h bipyramidal, similar to the recently discovered MB₆M structural motif in the Ti₇Rh₄Ir₂B₈ solid compound. ⁹      

Extensive Structural Rearrangements upon Reduction of 9H‐9‐Borafluorene

Common wisdom has it that organoboranes are readily oxidized. Described herein is that also their reduction can result in remarkable chemistry. Treatment of dimeric 9H‐9‐borafluorene with Li metal in toluene yields two strikingly different classes of compounds. One part of the sample reacts in a way similar to B₂H₆, thus affording an aryl(hydro)borane cluster reminiscent of the [B₃H₈]^? anion. The other part furnishes a dianionic boron‐doped graphene flake devoid of hydrogen substituents at the boron centers and featuring a central B?B bond. A change in the solvent to THF allows an isolation of this dibenzo[g,p]chrysene analogue in good yields.     

Iodinated ortho‐Carboranes as Versatile Building Blocks to Design Intermolecular Interactions in Crystal Lattices

The crystal structures of numerous iodinated ortho‐carboranes have been studied, which has revealed the diversity of intermolecular interactions that these substances can adopt in the solid state. The nature—mostly as it relates to hydrogen and/or halogen bonds—and relative strength of such interactions can be adjusted by selectively introducing substituents onto the cluster, thus enabling the rational design of crystal lattices. In this work we present the newly determined crystal structures of the following iodinated ortho‐carboranes: 9‐I‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, 4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12‐I₈‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₄, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12‐I₁₀‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₂, 1‐Me‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₇, 1,2‐Me₂‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₆, and 1,2‐Ph₂‐8,9,10,12‐I₄‐1,2‐closo‐C₂B₁₀H₆. Their 3D supramolecular organization has been thoroughly investigated and compared to similar previously published crystal structures. Such a systematic survey has allowed us to draw some general trends. C_c? H???I? B hydrogen bonds (C_c= cluster carbon atoms) appear to be significant in the growth of the crystal lattices of these compounds, given the acidity of hydrogen atoms bonded to C_c, and the polarization of B? I bonds. These hydrogen bonds can be disrupted by selectively blocking the positions next to C_c, that is, B(3) and B(6), with bulky substituents that prevent iodine atoms from approaching as hydrogen acceptors. Halogen bonds of the type B? I???I? B are frequently observed in most cases, thus suggesting that these interactions could be attractive in boron clusters. In addition, different substituents can be grafted onto the ortho‐carborane surface, thereby providing further possibilities for homomeric or heteromeric molecular assembly.     

Fully Borylated Methane and Ethane by Ruthenium‐Mediated Cleavage and Coupling of CO

Many transition‐metal complexes and some metal‐free compounds are able to bind carbon monoxide, a molecule which has the strongest chemical bond in nature. However, very few of them have been shown to induce the cleavage of its C?O bond and even fewer are those that are able to transform CO into organic reagents with potential in organic synthesis. This work shows that bis(pinacolato)diboron, B₂pin₂, reacts with ruthenium carbonyl to give metallic complexes containing borylmethylidyne (CBpin) and diborylethyne (pinBC≡CBpin) ligands and also metal‐free perborylated C₁ and C₂ products, such as C(Bpin)₄ and C₂(Bpin)₆, respectively, which have great potential as building blocks for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling and other reactions. The use of ¹³CO‐enriched ruthenium carbonyl has demonstrated that the boron‐bound carbon atoms of all of these reaction products arise from CO ligands.     

Endohedral and Exohedral Metalloborospherenes: M@B40 (M=Ca,Sr) and M&B40 (M=Be,Mg)

The recent discovery of the all‐boron fullerenes or borospherenes, D_2d B₄₀^−/0, paves the way for borospherene chemistry. Here we report a density functional theory study on the viability of metalloborospherenes: endohedral M@B₄₀ (M=Ca, Sr) and exohedral M&B₄₀ (M=Be, Mg). Extensive global structural searches indicate that Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 , C_2v, ¹A₁) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 , D_2d, ¹A₁) possess almost perfect endohedral borospherene structures with a metal atom at the center, while Be&B₄₀ ( 5 , C_s, ¹A′) and Mg&B₄₀ ( 7 , C_s, ¹A′) favor exohedral borospherene geometries with a η⁷‐M atom face‐capping a heptagon on the waist. Metalloborospherenes provide indirect evidence for the robustness of the borospherene structural motif. The metalloborospherenes are characterized as charge‐transfer complexes (M²⁺B₄₀²⁻), where an alkaline earth metal atom donates two electrons to the B₄₀ cage. The high stability of endohedral Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 ) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 ) is due to the match in size between the host cage and the dopant. Bonding analyses indicate that all 122 valence electrons in the systems are delocalized as σ or π bonds, being distributed evenly on the cage surface, akin to the D_2d B₄₀ borospherene.     

(Solid+Liquid) Equilibria in the Quaternary System Na2B4O7-MgB4O7-K2B4O7-H2O at 288 K

(Solid+Liquid) phase equilibria in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K were studied experimentally using the method of isothermal solution saturation. Solubility of any single salt in the solution of the quaternary system was determined experimentally. Based on the experimental data achieved, the phase diagram and water content diagram of the quaternary system were constructed, respectively. In the phase equilibrium diagram of the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K, there are one invariant point E, three univariant curves E1E, E2E and E3E, and three fields of crystallization corresponding to Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O and MgB₄O₇·9H₂O. The experimental results show that potassium borate (K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O) have higher solubilities than the magnesium borate and sodium borate in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K.     

Formation of an Isolable Divinylborinium Ion through Twofold 1,2‐Carboboration between a Diarylborinium Ion and Diphenylacetylene

Borinium ions, that is, two‐coordinate boron cations, are the most electron‐deficient isolable boron compounds. As borinium ions have only four formal valence electrons on boron, they should show a strong tendency to accept electron pairs on the boron atom to fill its valence shell. Thus chemical reactions of borinium ions are expected to give products in which the coordination number of boron is increased from two to three or four. However, contrary to this expectation, we found that the dimesitylborinium ion (Mes₂B⁺) undergoes twofold 1,2‐carboboration reactions with two equivalents of diphenylacetylene to yield an unprecedented borinium ion ( 1 ⁺) with two substituted vinyl groups on the boron center. NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis of 1 ⁺, together with electronic‐structure calculations, revealed that the positive charge is delocalized over the entire π‐conjugated system. The fact that the chemical transformation of a borinium ion gives rise to a different borinium ion without a change in the coordination number is remarkable and should provide new insight into the chemistry of the Group 13 elements.     

Fluorescence of New o‐Carborane Compounds with Different Fluorophores: Can it be Tuned?

Two sets of o‐carborane derivatives incorporating fluorene and anthracene fragments as fluorophore groups have been successfully synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical properties studied. The first set, comprising fluorene‐containing carboranes 6 – 9 , was prepared by catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of ethynylfluorene with appropriate carboranylsilanes. The compound 1‐[(9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorene‐2‐yl)ethynyl]carborane ( 11 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 9,9‐dioctyl‐2‐ethynylfluorene and decaborane (B₁₀H₁₄). Furthermore, reactions of the lithium salt of 11 with 1 equivalent of 4‐(chloromethyl)styrene or 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene yielded compounds 12 and 13 . Members of the second set of derivatives, comprising anthracene‐containing carboranes, were synthesized by reactions of monolithium or dilithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, and 1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₂ with 1 or 2 equivalents of 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene, respectively, to produce compounds 14 – 16 . In addition, 2 equivalents of the monolithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (Me‐o‐carborane) and 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (Ph‐o‐carborane) were reacted with 9,10‐bis(chloromethyl)anthracene to produce compounds 17 and 18 , respectively. Fluorene derivatives 6 – 9 exhibit moderate fluorescence quantum yields (32–44 %), whereas 11 – 13 , in which the fluorophore is bonded to the C_cluster (C_c), show very low emission intensity (6 %) or complete fluorescence quenching. The anthracenyl derivatives containing the Me‐o‐carborane moiety exhibit notably high fluorescence emissions, with ?_F=82 and 94 %, whereas their Ph‐o‐carborane analogues are not fluorescent at all. For these compounds, we have observed a correlation between the C_c?C_c bond length and the fluorescence intensity in CH₂Cl₂ solution, comparable to that observed for previously reported styrene‐containing carboranes. Thus, our hypothesis is that for systems of this type the fluorescence may be tuned and even predicted by changing the substituent on the adjacent C_c.     

Endohedral and Exohedral Metalloborospherenes: M@B40 (M=Ca,Sr) and M&B40 (M=Be,Mg)

The recent discovery of the all‐boron fullerenes or borospherenes, D_2d B₄₀^?/0, paves the way for borospherene chemistry. Here we report a density functional theory study on the viability of metalloborospherenes: endohedral M@B₄₀ (M=Ca, Sr) and exohedral M&B₄₀ (M=Be, Mg). Extensive global structural searches indicate that Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 , C_2v, ¹A₁) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 , D_2d, ¹A₁) possess almost perfect endohedral borospherene structures with a metal atom at the center, while Be&B₄₀ ( 5 , C_s, ¹A′) and Mg&B₄₀ ( 7 , C_s, ¹A′) favor exohedral borospherene geometries with a η⁷‐M atom face‐capping a heptagon on the waist. Metalloborospherenes provide indirect evidence for the robustness of the borospherene structural motif. The metalloborospherenes are characterized as charge‐transfer complexes (M²⁺B₄₀^2?), where an alkaline earth metal atom donates two electrons to the B₄₀ cage. The high stability of endohedral Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 ) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 ) is due to the match in size between the host cage and the dopant. Bonding analyses indicate that all 122 valence electrons in the systems are delocalized as σ or π bonds, being distributed evenly on the cage surface, akin to the D_2d B₄₀ borospherene.     

Lanthanide Nitrido Borates with Six-Membered B3N6 Rings: Ln3B3N6

Metal compounds with heteroatomic ring systems of main group elements are a domain of coordination chemistry. However, lanthanide nitrido borates Ln₃B₃N₆ (Ln=La or Ce; see structure) are synthesized by the reaction of hexagonal boron nitride with LnN. The compounds contain the six-membered B₃N₆ ring, which can be seen as a fragment from one layer of the hexagonal BN structure.