Chapter 8 - Recent advances in the selective functionalization of anionic icosahedral boranes and carboranes

Abstract

The functionalization of icosahedral boron clusters has witnessed significant progress in the past years, leading to an improved understanding of their organometallic chemistry and an increasing number of applications in various fields of research. Direct conversion of B─H bonds to substituted B─X vertices constitutes an attractive strategy to synthesize cage compounds with desired properties. In this chapter, advances in the transition metal–mediated B─H activation and functionalization of the anionic boron clusters [B12H12]2− and [CB11H12]− are presented.