Metal-Stabilized [B8H8]2− Derivatives with Dodecahedral Structure in the Solid and Solution States: [(Cp2MBH3)2B8H6] (Cp=η5-C5H5; M=Zr (1-Zr) and Hf (1-Hf)).

Despite the synthesis and structural characterization of closo-hydroborate dianions, [B_nH_n]²⁻ (n=6–12) more than 50 years ago, some ambiguity remains about the structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻. Although the solid-state structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻ was established by single-crystal X-ray studies in 1969, fast rearrangements in solution at accessible temperatures prevented its detailed characterization. We therefore stabilized a derivative of [B₈H₈]²⁻ by using Cp₂MBH₃ and structurally characterized two new octaborane analogues, [(Cp₂MBH₃)₂B₈H₆] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅; M=Zr ( 1-Zr ) and Hf ( 1-Hf )), so that the dynamics of the B₈ skeleton were arrested. The solid-state structures of both 1-Zr and 1-Hf comprise a dodecahedron core protected by {Cp₂MBH₃} moieties on both sides of the cluster. Spectroscopic characterization (¹¹B NMR) validates the intactness of the B₈ dodecahedron core in solution as well. Theoretical calculations establish that the two exo-{Cp₂MBH₃} fragments provide structural and electronic structural stability to the B₈ core and its intact dodecahedral dianionic nature. Furthermore, we propose isodesmic equations for the formation of higher analogues of the B_n core (n>8) guarded by different group 4 transition metals. Our analysis suggests that, as we move to higher polyhedra (n>10), the formation becomes unfavourable irrespective of metal.