Short communication: Thermal stability of the diazohydroborate [1‐N2B10H9]−: degradation to [B20H18]2− anion

The thermal stability of the monodiazohydroborate NMe₄1‐N₂B₁₀H₉] was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Under two different atmospheres (air and argon), the thermal decomposition starts at a temperature between 140 and 160 °C. The decomposition residue obtained was separated on a silica gel column. ¹¹B NMR, IR and electrospray mass spectroscopy analyses of the different fractions separated showed that the above decomposition produces (NMe₄)₂B₂₀H₁₈] as major product (90%), along with smaller amounts of residual NMe₄1‐N₂B₁₀H₉] (5%), (NMe₄)₂B₁₂H₁₂] and boric acid. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.