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.     

Transmission of electronic effects through the {closo-1-CB9} and {closo-1-CB11} cages: apparent dissociation constants for series of [closo-1-CB9H8-1-COOH-10-X] and [closo-1-CB11H10-1-COOH-12-X] acids

The apparent ionization constants pK(a)' for series of carboxylic acids [closo-1-CB(9)H(8)-1-COOH-10-X](-) (1) and [closo-1-CB(11)H(10)-1-COOH-12-X](-) (2), where X = H, I, n-C(6)H(13), (+)NMe(3), (+)N(2), (+)SMe(2), OC(5)H(11), were measured in EtOH/H(2)O (1/1, v/v) at 24 °C. Correlation analysis of the pK(a)' values using Hammett substituent constants σ(p)(X) gave the reaction constant ρ = 0.87 ± 0.04 for series 1 and ρ = 1.00 ± 0.09 for series 2. These values are higher than for derivatives of PhCH═CHCOOH (ρ = 0.70 ± 0.09 in 55% EtOH) and correspond to 56% and 65% efficiencies in transmission of electronic effects by [closo-1-CB(9)H(10)](-) (E) and [closo-1-CB(11)H(12)](-) (F), respectively, as compared to benzene (A). Experimental results were supported with DFT calculations of relative acidity for series of acids derived from A, E, and F in aqueous medium.     

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.     

Borane reaction chemistry. Alkyne insertion reactions into boron-containing clusters. Products from the thermolysis of [6,9-(2-HC[triple bond]C-C5H4N)2-arachno-B10H12

The stirring of [ortho-(HC[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N] with [nido-B(10)H(14)] in benzene affords [6,9-{ortho-(HC[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N}(2)-arachno-B(10)H(12)] 1 in 93% yield. In the solid state, 1 has an extended complex three-dimensional structure involving intramolecular dihydrogen bonding, which accounts for its low solubility. Thermolysis of 1 gives the known [1-(ortho-C(5)H(4)N)-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11)] 2 (13%), together with new [micro-5(N),6(C)-(NC(5)H(4)-ortho-CH(2))-nido-6-CB(9)H(10)] 3 (0.4%), [micro-7(C),8(N)-(NC(5)H(4)-ortho-CH(2))-nido-7-CB(10)H(11)] (0.4%) , 4 binuclear [endo-6'-(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))-micro-(1(C),exo-6'(N))-(ortho-C(5)H(4)N)-micro-(exo-8'(C),exo-9'(N))-(ortho-(CH(2)CH(2))-C(5)H(4)N)-arachno-B(10)H(10)] (0.5%) 5, and [exo-6(C)-endo-6(N)-(ortho-(CH[double bond]CH)-C(5)H(4)N)-exo-9(N)-(ortho-(HC[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N)-arachno-B(10)H(11)] 6. An improved solvent-free route to 2 is also presented. This set of compounds features an increasing cluster incorporation of the ethynyl moiety, initially by an effective internal hydroboration, affording an arachno to nido and then a nido to arachno:closo sequence of cluster geometry. An alternative low-temperature route to internal hydroboration is demonstrated in the room temperature reaction of [closo-B(11)H(11)][N(n)Bu(4)](2) with CF(3)COOH and [ortho-(HC[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N], which gives [micro-1(C),2(B)-[ortho-C(5)H(4)N-CH(2)]-closo-1-CB(11)H(10)] 7 (40%) in which one carbon atom is incorporated into the cluster; a similar reaction with [ortho-(N[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N] affords [N(n)Bu(4)][7-(ortho-N[triple bond]C-C(5)H(4)N)-nido-B(11)H(12)], 8 (68%) and stirring [ortho-(N[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N] with [nido-B(10)H(14)] quantitatively affords the cyano analogue of 1, [6,9-{ortho-(N[triple bond]C)-C(5)H(4)N}(2)-arachno-B(10)H(12)] 9. All compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy.     

A study of the sequential acid-catalyzed hydroxylation of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-)

The closo-[B12H12-n(OH)n]2- (n = 1-4) ions have been synthesized by the reaction of cesium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-), Cs21, with aqueous sulfuric acid. Variation of the reaction temperature, time, and acid concentration results in the stepwise introduction of from one to four hydroxyl groups. Each individual hydroxylation step proceeds regioselectively, affording only one isomer per step. Further substitution of the hydroxylated cluster preferentially takes place at a B-H vertex meta to a B-OH vertex. The closo-[B12H12-n(OH)n]2- (n = 1-4) species, designated 2-5, respectively, are characterized by one- and two-dimensional 11B NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. A rationale that qualitatively explains the influence of the hydroxyl group on the chemical shifts of the individual boron vertices is developed. Furthermore, the solid state structures of closo-[B12H11(OH)]2-, 2, and closo-1,7-[B12H10(OH)2]2-,3, are determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are as follows: For [MePPh3](2)2, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 890.1(5) pm, b = 1814(1) pm, c = 1270.5(7) pm, beta = 101.66(2) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.055; for [MePPh3](2)3, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 887.6(4) pm, b = 1847.2(8) pm, c = 1271.1(5) pm, beta = 101.17(1) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.065. In addition, synthetic routes to O-derivatized species of the anions 2-5 such as closo-[B12H11(OTiCpCl2)]2-, 7, closo-1,7-[B12H10(OTiCpCl2)2]2-, 8, closo-1,7,9-[B12H9(OTiCpCl2)3]2-, 9, closo-[B12H11(OCONHPh)]2-, 10, and closo-1,7-[B12H10(OSO2Me)2]2-, 11, are described. The crystal structures of 7 and 11 are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are as follows: For [MePPh3](2)7, monoclinic, space group Cc, a = 2530.5(2) pm, b = 1653.3(1) pm, c = 1281.3(1) pm, beta = 118.79(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.085; for [HPy](2)11, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 1550.9(8) pm, b = 993.1(5) pm, c = 1726.5(9) pm, beta = 112.36(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.061.     

Restricted rotation in unbridged sandwich complexes: rotational behavior of closo-[Co(eta 5-NC4H4)(C2B9H11)] derivatives

Rotation about the centroid/metal/centroid axis in ferrocene is facile; the activation energy is 1-5 kcal mol(-1). The structurally similar sandwich complexes derived from closo-[3-Co(eta5-NC4H4)-1,2-C2B9H11] (1) have a different rotational habit. In 1, the cis rotamer in which the pyrrolyl nitrogen atom bisects the carboranyl cluster atoms is 3.5 kcal mol(-1) more stable in energy than the rotamer that is second lowest in energy. This cis rotamer is wide, spanning 216 degrees , and may be split into three rotamers of almost equal energy by substituting the N and the carboranyl carbon atoms adequately. To support this statement, closo-[3-Co(eta5-NC4H4)-1,2-(CH3)2-1,2-C2B9H9] (2), closo-[3-Co(eta5-NC4H4)-1,2-(mu-CH2)3-1,2-C2B9H9] 3, 2-->BF3, and 3-->BF3 have been prepared. Two rotamers are found at low temperature for 2-->BF(3) and 3-->BF3. Compounds 2, 3, and 1-->BF3 behave similarly to 1. Rotational energy barriers and the relative populations of the different energy states are calculated from 1H DNMR spectroscopy (DNMR, dynamic NMR). These results agree with those of semiempirical calculations. Without exception, the cis rotamer is energetically the more stable. The fixed conformation of 1 assists in elucidating the rotational preferences of the [3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- ion in the absence of steric hindrance; the [3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- ion is commonly accepted to present a cisoid orientation. Complex 1 is electronically similar to the [3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- ion. Both have heteroatoms in the pi ligands, and they have the same electronegativity difference between the constituent atoms. This leads to a view of the [NC4H4]- as [7,8-C2B9H11]2- ion, with no steric implications. Therefore the [3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- ion should be considered to have a cisoid structure, and the different rotamers observed to be the result of steric factors and of the interaction of the counterion with either B-H groups and/or ancillary ligands. The rotamer adopted is the one with the atoms holding the negative charges furthest apart.     

Preparation of 1-p-halophenyl and 1-p-biphenylyl substituted monocarbadodecaborate anions [closo-1-Ar-CB11H11]- by insertion of arylhalocarbenes into [nido-B11H14]-

In the presence of a strong base, benzal chloride (C(6)H(5)CHCl(2)) and its p-substituted derivatives react with [nido-B(11)H(14)](-) to yield [closo-1-p-X-C(6)H(4)-CB(11)H(11)](-) (X = H, F, Cl, Br, I, Ph), presumably by insertion of an arylhalocarbene and oxidation. On a 1-g scale, the yields are 30-40%, except in the case of p-iodobenzal chloride, which yields only 12% of the insertion product.     

Reduction of inner sulfonium salts, thioethers, and sulfones derived from closo-[B12H12]2- by lithium in methylamine: a new route to mercaptododecaborates

Anions [Me2SB12H11]- (2) and [MeSB12H11]2- (3) can be reduced by excess lithium in methylamine at -15 degrees C to yield [HSB12H11]2- (1) after workup. Such behavior toward this reducing system is similar to that of alkyl aryl sulfides. The sulfone [MeSO2B12H11]2- (12) also yields 1 as a major boron product upon reduction, while alkyl aryl sulfones produce the corresponding arenes under the same conditions. Similarly, isomers of (Me2S)2B12H10 (4-6) are reduced by lithium in methylamine yielding dithiols [(HS)2B12H10]2- (7-9). The tetrabutylammonium salts of 1 and 7-9 are obtained in 80-90% yields and characterized by multinuclear NMR and mass spectrometry, the latter three compounds being isolated and characterized for the first time. The reduction reaction provides access to dithiols 7-9 for biological evaluation and use in synthesis. Thus, 2 and 4-6 can be easily converted to [R2SB12H11]- and (R2S)2B12H10 in a two-step reduction-alkylation procedure. 1,2-(Bn2S)2B12H10 (13) obtained by alkylation of the reduction product of 4 by benzyl chloride was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data for 1,2-(Bn2S)2B12H10.CD3CN: C2/c (No. 15), a = 13.666(1) A, b = 16.978(1) A, c = 14.667(1) A, beta = 91.08(1) degrees, Z = 4.     

Diverse stereocontrol effects induced by weakly coordinating anions. Stereospecific olefin polymerization pathways at archetypal C(s)- and C(1)-symmetric metallocenium catalysts using mono- and polynuclear halo-perfluoroarylmetalates as cocatalysts

Counteranion effects on propylene polymerization rates and stereoselectivities are compared using Cs-symmetric Me2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrMe2 (1; Cp = C5H4,eta5-cyclopentadienyl; Flu = C13H8, eta5-fluorenyl) and C1-symmetric Me2Si(OHF)(CpR*)ZrMe2 (2; OHF = C13H16, eta5-octahydrofluorenyl; CpR* = eta5-3-(-)-menthylcyclopentadienyl) precatalysts activated with the mononuclear and polynuclear perfluoroarylborate, -aluminate, and -gallate cocatalysts/activators B(C6F5)3 (3), B(o-C6F5C6F4)3 (4), Al(C6F5)3 (5), Ph3C+B(C6F5)4- (6) Ph3C+FAl(o-C6F5C6F4)3- (7), Ga(C6F5)3 (8), and recently reported mono- and polymetallic trityl perfluoroarylhalometalates Ph3C+FB(C6F5)3- (9), Ph3C+FB(o-C6F5C6F4)3- (10), (Ph3C+)xFx[Al(C6F5)3]yx- (x = 1, y = 1, 11; x = 1, y = 2, 12; x = 2, y = 3, 13), Ph3C+(C6F5)3AlFAl(o-C6F5C6F4)3- (14), Ph3C+XAl(C6F5)3- (X = Cl, 15; X = Br, 16), and Ph3C+F[Ga(C6F5)3]2- (17). Temperature, propylene concentration, and solvent polarity dependence are surveyed in polymerizations catalyzed by 1 activated with cocatalysts 3-16 and with a 1:2 ratio of Ph3CCl and 5, and with a 1:2 ratio of Ph3CBr and 5, and by 2 activated with 3, 6, 7, 12, and 14. Remarkable stereocontrol with high activities is observed for 1 + 12 and 1 + 14. Polypropylene samples produced using C1-symmetric precatalyst 2 are subjected to microstructural analyses using stochastic models describing the relative contributions of enantiofacial misinsertion and backskip processes. A powerful technique is introduced for calculating interparametric correlation matrices for these nonlinear stochastic models. The collected results significantly extend what is known about ion-pairing effects in the case of Cs-symmetric precatalyst 1 and allow these findings to be applied to the case of C1-symmetric precatalyst 2 as an agent of isospecific propylene polymerization.     

Silver-phosphine complexes of the highly methylated carborane monoanion [closo-1-H-CB11Me11]-

The synthesis of the silver(I) salt of the highly methylated carborane anion [closo-1-H-CB(11)Me(11)](-) is described, Ag[closo-1-H-CB(11)Me(11)] 1, which in the solid state shows close intermolecular Ag...H(3)C contacts. Addition of various monodentate phosphines to 1 results in the formation of the complexes (R(3)P)Ag[closo-1-H-CB(11)Me(11)] [R = Ph, 2; cyclohexyl (C(6)H(11)), 3; (3,5-Me(2)-C(6)H(3)), 4]. All these complexes show close intermolecular Ag.H(3)C contacts in the solid state that are considerably shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radius of methyl (2.00 A) and the ionic radius of silver(I) (1.29 A). For 2 and 3 there are other close intermolecular Ag...H(3)C contacts in the solid state, arising from proximate carborane anions in the crystal lattice. Addition of methyl groups to the periphery of the phosphine ligand (complex 4) switches off the majority of these interactions, leaving essentially a single cage interacting with the cationic silver-phosphine fragment through three CH(3) groups. In solution (CD(2)Cl(2)) Ag...H(3)C contacts remain, as evidenced by both the downfield chemical shift change and the significant line-broadening observed for the cage methyl signals. These studies also show that the metal fragment is fluxional over the surface of the cage. The Ag...H(3)C interactions in solution may be switched off by addition of a stronger Lewis base than [closo-1-H-CB(11)Me(11)](-). Thus, addition of [NBu(4)][closo-1-H-CB(11)H(5)Br(6)] to 2 affords (Ph(3)P)Ag[closo-1-H-CB(11)H(5)Br(6)], while adding Et(2)O or PPh(3) affords the well-separated ion-pairs [(Ph(3)P)(L)Ag][closo-1-H-CB(11)Me(11)] (L = OEt(2) 5, PPh(3) 6,) both of which have been crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations on 2 (at the B3LYP/DZVP level) show small energy differences between the possible coordination isomers of this compound, with the favored geometry being one in which the [(Ph(3)P)Ag](+) fragment interacts with three of the [BCH(3)] vertices on the lower surface of the cage, similar to the experimentally observed structure of 4.     

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.     

Salts of the Lewis-acidic dianion [Hg(closo-1-CB11F11)2]2-: coordination of acetonitrile and water

The coordination of acetonitrile and water to the Hg atom in [Hg(closo-1-CB(11)F(11))(2)](2-) (1) reveals the Lewis acidity of the Hg(II) center, which is unprecedented, since 1 is a dianion. Both coordination compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In contrast, the Hg atom in [PhHg(closo-1-CB(11)F(11))](-) (2) does not coordinate to CH(3)CN and H(2)O, although it has only a single negative charge.     

Mononuclear [NiII(L)(P-(o-C6H4S)2(o-C6H4SH))]0/1- (L = thiolate, selenolate, PPh3, and Cl) complexes with intramolecular [Ni...S...H...S]/[Ni...H...S] interactions modulated by the coordinated ligand L: relevance to the [NiFe] hydrogenases

The shift of the IR nu(S)(-)(H) frequency to lower wavenumbers for the series of complexes [Ni(II)(L)(P-(o-C6H4S)2(o-C6H4SH))]0/1- (L = PPh3 (1), Cl (6), Se-p-C6H4-Cl (5), S-C4H3S (7), SePh (4)) indicates that a trend of increasing electronic donation of the L ligands coordinated to the Ni(II) center promotes intramolecular [Ni-S...H-S] interactions. Compared to the Ni...S(H) distance, in the range of 3.609-3.802 A in complexes 1 and 4-7, the Ni...S(CH3) distances of 2.540 and 2.914 A observed in the [Ni(II)(PPh3)(P(o-C6H4S)2(o-C6H4-SCH3))] complexes (8a and 8b, two conformational isomers with the chemical shift of the thioether methyl group at delta 1.820 (-60 degrees C) and 2.109 ppm (60 degrees C) (C4D8O)) and the Ni...S(CH3) distances of 3.258 and 3.229 A found in the [Ni(II)(L)(P(o-C6H4S)2(o-C6H4-SCH3))]1- complexes (L = SPh (9), SePh (10)) also support the idea that the pendant thiol protons of the Ni(II)-thiol complexes 1/4-7 were attracted by both the sulfur of thiolate and the nickel. The increased basicity (electronic density) of the nickel center regulated by the monodentate ligand attracted the proton of the pendant thiol effectively and caused the weaker S...H bond. In addition, the pendant thiol interaction modes in the solid state (complexes 1a and 1b, Scheme 1) may be controlled by the solvent of crystallization. Compared to complex 1a, the stronger intramolecular [Ni-S...H-S] interaction (or a combination of [Ni-S...H-S]/[Ni...H-S] interactions) found in complexes 4-7 led to the weaker S-H bond strength and accelerated the oxidation (by O2) of complexes 4-7 to produce the [Ni(Y)(L)(P(o-C6H4S)3)]1- (L = Se-p-C6H4-Cl (11), SePh (12), S-C4H3S (13)) complexes.     

Exhaustive chlorination of [B12H12]2- without chlorine gas and the use of [B12Cl12]2- as a Supporting anion in catalytic hydrodefluorination of aliphatic C-F bonds

The fully chlorinated closo-dodecaborate salt Cs(2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was prepared in high yield from Cs(2)[B(12)H(12)] and SO(2)Cl(2) in acetonitrile at refluxing temperature. [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was obtained by simple metathesis reactions. Catalytic hydrodefluorination of benzotrifluoride sp(3) C-F bonds was accomplished using [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] as a precatalyst and Et(3)SiH as a stoichiometric reagent. Full consumption of the sp(3) C-F bonds in p-FC(6)H(4)CF(3) and C(6)F(5)CF(3) with a turnover number up to 2000 was achieved.     

S-alkylation and S-amination of methyl thioethers--derivatives of closo-[B(12)H(12)](2-). synthesis of a boronated phosphonate, gem-bisphosphonates, and dodecaborane-ortho-carborane oligomers

A variety of S-alkylated products was prepared by alkylation of methyl thioethers [MeSB(12)H(11)](2-) (5), [1-(MeS)-2(7,12)-(Me(2)S)B(12)H(10)](-) (6-8), and [1,2(7,12)-(MeS)(2)B(12)H(10)](2-) (9-11) with alkyl halides and tosylates in acetonitrile. Since these methyl thioethers can be prepared easily in B-10-enriched form on a large scale and due to their chemical versatility, they are potentially very attractive boron entities for the design and synthesis of therapeutics for boron neutron capture therapy of cancer. It was found that alkylation of 6-8 can be complicated by an equilibrium which establishes between, on the one hand, one of the former species and, on the other hand, 1,2(7,12)-(Me(2)S)(2)B(12)H(10) (2-4) and [1,2(7,12)-(MeS)(2)B(12)H(10)](2-) (9-11). A boronated phosphonate 1-(MeS(CH(2))(4)P(O)(OEt)(2))-7-(Me(2)S)B(12)H(10) (14g) and a gem-bisphosphonate 1-(MeS(CH(2))(3)CH[P(O)(OEt)(2)](2))-7-(Me(2)S)B(12)H(10) (14h) were prepared from thioether 7 and the corresponding iodide and tosylate, respectively, and subsequently converted to their sodium salts. The propargyl sulfonium salts obtained by alkylation of thioethers 7, 8, 10, and 11 with propargyl bromide have been further converted to two- and three-cage oligomers containing both ortho-carborane and dodecaborane moieties. Methyl thioethers derived from closo-[B(12)H(12)](2-) are excellent participants in Michael addition reactions in the presence of a strong acid. The sulfonium salts with tertiary alkyl and vinyl substituents have been prepared by this method. Methyl thioethers 5-11 react with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonate yielding the corresponding aminosulfonium salts, albeit in lower yields as compared to those in the alkylation reactions. Several derivatives of methyl thioethers 5-11 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of symmetrical closo-4,7-I2-1,2-C2B10H10 and [(CH3)3NH][nido-2,4-I2-7,8-C2B9H10

The boron-atom insertion reaction of nido-9,11-I(2)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(9)(2-), with the HBCl(2):SMe(2) complex yields closo-4,7-I(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10), 1, in excellent yield. Although the two boron atoms (B3 and B6) nearest to the carbon atoms in 1 are equally available for attack by nucleophiles, the boron-degradation reaction of 1 with alkoxide ion occurs only at the B6 vertex, yielding regioselectively [(CH(3))(3)NH][nido-2,4-I(2)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)], 2. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Crystallographic data are as follows. For 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 6.9199(19) Angstroms, b = 23.9560(7) Angstroms, c = 7.2870(2) Angstroms, beta = 94.081(4) degrees, V = 1204.9(6) Angstroms(3), Z = 4, rho(calcd) = 2.18 g cm(-3), R = 0.020, R(w) = 0.0610; for 2, orthorhombic, space group Pca2(1), a = 14.1141(7) Angstroms, b = 7.0276(4) Angstroms, c = 16.4602(9) Angstroms, V = 1632.7(15) Angstroms(3), Z = 4, rho(calcd) = 1.81 gcm(-3), R = 0.022, R(w) = 0.0623.     

Reductive degradation of nido-1-CB8H12 into smaller-cage carborane systems via new monocarbaboranes [arachno-5-CB8H13](-) and closo-2-CB6H8

Treatment of the nido-1-CB8H12 (1) carborane with NaBH4 in THF at ambient temperature led to the isolation of the stable [arachno-5-CB8H13]- (2(-)), which was isolated as Na+[5-CB8H13]-.1.5 THF and PPh4 +[5-CB8H13]- in almost quantitative yield. Compound 2(-) underwent a boron-degradation reaction with concentrated hydrochloric acid to afford the arachno-4-CB7H13 (3) carborane in 70 % yield, whereas reaction between 2(-) and excess phenyl acetylene in refluxing THF gave the [closo-2-CB6H7]- (4-) in 66 % yield. Protonation of the Cs+4(-) salt with concentrated H2SO4 or CF3COOH in CH2Cl2 afforded a new, highly volatile 2-CB6H8 (4) carborane in 95 % yield, the deprotonation of which with Et3N in CH2Cl2 leads quantitatively to Et3NH+[2-CB6H7](-) (Et3NH+4(-)). Both compounds 4- and 4 can be deboronated through treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid in CH2Cl2 to yield the carbahexaborane nido-2-CB5H9 (5) in 60 % yield. New compounds 2-, 3, and 4 were structurally characterised by the ab initio/GIAO/MP2/NMR method. The method gave superior results to those carried out using GIAO-HF when relating the calculated 11B NMR chemical shifts to experimental data.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyano-substituted carborane-based compounds. Molecular structure of [1-(4-C7H7)-12-(C5H3-3-(CN)-3,4-(CH3)2)-C2B10H10

The reaction of cyanogen chloride with [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H(3)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (7) was found to yield two new C(5)-substituted carborane cluster-based compounds, [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H(2)-3-(CN)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (8) and [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H-2,4-(CN)(2)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (9). This cyano-substitution pattern is in contrast to the known substitution for the analogous organic quinarene[5.6.7] system. The observed unique cluster-based products may be understood by a combination of steric and electronic effects. Compounds 8 and 9 were characterized by complete multinuclear NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY NMR, (1)H-(13)C HMQC NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, IR, MS data and a single crystal analysis for 8 [X-ray data for 8: C(17)H(25)B(10)N, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n with cell constants a = 8.6794(17) ?, b = 11.021(2) ?, c = 43.175(9) ?, β = 91.00(3)°, V = 4129.2(14) ?(3), Z = 8, R(1) = 0.0729, wR(2) = 0.1464].     

Synthesis and characterization of heterometallic clusters (Ir2Rh, Ir2W, Rh3) Containing 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)-1,2-dithiolate chelate ligands, [(B10H10)C2S2]2-

The 16-electron half-sandwich complex [Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H10)]] (Cp* = eta5-C5Me5) (1a) reacts with [[Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)]2] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, C8H12) in different molar ratios to give three products, [[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H9)]]Rh(cod)] (2), trans-[[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H9)]]Rh[[S2C2(B10H10)]IrCp*]] (3), and [Rh2(cod)2[(mu-SH)(mu-SC)(CH)(B10H10)]] (4). Complex 3 contains an Ir2Rh backbone with two different Ir-Rh bonds (3.003(3) and 2.685(3) angstroms). The dinuclear complex 2 reacts with the mononuclear 16-electron complex 1a to give 3 in refluxing toluene. Reaction of 1a with [W(CO)3(py)3] (py = C5H5N) in the presence of BF3.EtO2 leads to the trinuclear cluster [[Cp*Ir[S2C2(B10H10)]]2W(CO)2] (5) together with [[Cp*Ir(CO)[S2C2(B10H10)]]W(CO)5] (6), and [Cp*Ir(CO)[S2C2(B10H10)]] (7). Analogous reactions of [Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]] (1 b) with [[Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)]2] were investigated and two complexes cis-[[Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]]2Rh] (8) and trans-[[Cp*Rh[S2C2(B10H10)]]2Rh] (9) were obtained. In refluxing THF solution, the cisoid 8 is converted in more than 95 % yield to the transoid 9. All new complexes 2-9 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B NMR) and X-ray diffraction structural analyses are reported for complexes 2-5, 8, and 9.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel monocarbollide exo-closo-(pi-arene)biruthenacarboranes [(PPh3)mClRu(eta6-C6H5R)Ru'CB10H11-n(OMe)n] (where R = H, m = 2, n = 1; R = mu-PPh2, m = 1, n = 0, 1)

The monocarbon carborane [Cs][nido-7-CB(10)H(13)] reacts with the 16-electron [RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] in a solution of benzene/methanol in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylnaphthalene-1,8-diamine as the base to give a series of 12-vertex monocarbon arene-biruthenacarborane complexes of two types: [closo-2-[7,11-exo-RuClPPh(3)(mu,eta(6)-C(6)H(5)PPh(2))]-7,11-(mu-H)(2)-2,1-RuCB(10)H(8)R] (5, R = H; 6, R = 6-MeO; 7, R = 3-MeO) and [closo-2-(eta(6)-C(6)H(6))-10,11,12-[exo-RuCl(PPh(3))(2)]-10,11,12-(mu-H)(3)-2,1-RuCB(10)H(7)R(1)] (8a, R(1) = 6-MeO; 8b, R(1) = 3-MeO, inseparable mixture of isomers) along with trace amounts of 10-vertex mononuclear hypercloso/isocloso-type complexes [2,2-(PPh(3))(2)-2-H-3,9-(MeO)(2)-2,1-RuCB(8)H(7)] (9) and [2,5-(Ph(3)P)-2-Cl-2-H-3,9-(MeO)(2)-2,1-RuCB(8)H(6)] (10). Binuclear ruthenacarborane clusters of both series were characterized by a combination of analytical and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic data and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of three selected complexes, 6-8. In solution, isomers 8a,b have been shown to undergo the isomerization process through the scrambling of the exo-[RuCl(PPh(3))(2)] fragment about two adjacent triangular cage boron faces B(7)B(11)B(12) and B(8)B(9)B(12).