Synthesis of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraethyl-o-carboranes by electrophilic alkylation ofo-carborane with ethyl bromide in the presence of AICl3 and their transformations

Abstract

Optimal conditions for the preparation of 9-ethyl-, 9,12-diethyl, 8,9,12-triethyl-, and 8,9,10,12-tetraethyl-o-carboranes under the action of EtBr on o-carborane in the presence of AICl3 were determined. The behavior of these o-carborane derivatives towards electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents was studied. The presence of four ethyl groups in positions 8, 9, 10, and 12 of the carborane polyhedron increases the electron density on the boron atoms in positions 4, 5, 7, and II to the point where they are able to enter into reactions of electrophilic substitution, and in positions 3 and 6 to the point that they become resistant to the action of nucleophilic reagents. Reactions of 1,2-dilithium-8,9,10,12-tetraethyl-o-carborane with various electrophilic reagents were studied.