Boron Hydride Clusters Research Articles

Composites and Materials Prepared from Boron Cluster Anions and Carboranes.

Here, we present composites and materials that can be prepared starting with boron hydride cluster compounds (decaborane, decahydro-closo-decaborate and dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate anions and carboranes). Recent examples of their utilization as boron protective coatings including using them to synthesize boron carbide, boron nitride, metal borides, metal-containing composites, and neutron shielding materials are discussed. The data are generalized demonstrate the versatile application of materials based on boron cluster anions and carboranes in various fields.

A Reversible NO-Triggered Multiple Metallaborane Cluster Fusion by Ligand Expulsion/Addition from (PMe2Ph)4Pt2B10H10 to Afford (PMe2Ph)8Pt8B40H40 and (PMe2Ph)5Pt4B20H20.

The dimetallic boron hydride cluster, (PMe2Ph)4Pt2B10H10 (1-Pt2), is known to reversibly sequester small molecules (e.g., O2, CO, and SO2) across its Pt-Pt cluster vector. Here, we report the very different effect of the addition of nitric oxide (NO) to solutions of (1-Pt2) that prompts the elimination of some of its phosphine ligands and the autofusion of the resultant {(PMe2Ph)xPt2B10H10} units to afford the metallaborane conglomerates (PMe2Ph)8Pt8B40H40 (2-Pt8, 38%) and (PMe2Ph)5Pt4B20H20 (3-Pt4, 34%). Single-crystal X-ray studies of these multicluster assemblies reveal the links between the clusters to be a combination of both Pt-Pt bonds and Pt-μH-B 2-electron, 3-center bonds in (2-Pt8) and Pt-μH-B 2-electron, 3-center bonds in (3-Pt4). For compound (2-Pt8), the cluster assemblage can be effectively reversed by the addition of ethyl isonitrile (EtNC) to afford (EtNC)3(PMe2Ph)2Pt2B10H10 4 in quantitative yield. The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, multielement NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Anion stabilised hypercloso-hexaalane Al6H6

Boron hydride clusters are an extremely diverse compound class, which are of enormous importance to many areas of chemistry. Despite this, stable aluminium hydride analogues of these species have remained staunchly elusive to synthetic chemists. Here, we report that reductions of an amidinato-aluminium(III) hydride complex with magnesium(I) dimers lead to unprecedented examples of stable aluminium(I) hydride complexes, [(ArNacnac)Mg]2[Al6H6(Fiso)2] (ArNacnac = [HC(MeCNAr)2]−, Ar = C6H2Me3-2,4,6 Mes; C6H3Et2-2,6 Dep or C6H3Me2-2,6 Xyl; Fiso = [HC(NDip)2]−, Dip = C6H3Pri2-2,6), which crystallographic and computational studies show to possess near neutral, octahedral hypercloso-hexaalane, Al6H6, cluster cores. The electronically delocalised skeletal bonding in these species is compared to that in the classical borane, [B6H6]2−. Thus, the chemistry of classical polyhedral boranes is extended to stable aluminium hydride clusters for the first time.

Hückel's Rule of Aromaticity Categorizes Aromatic closo Boron Hydride Clusters.

A direct connection is established between three-dimensional aromatic closo boron hydride clusters and planar aromatic [n]annulenes for medium and large boron clusters. In particular, the results prove the existence of a link between the two-dimensional Hückel rule, as followed by aromatic [n]annulenes, and Wade-Mingos' rule of three-dimensional aromaticity, as applied to the aromatic [Bn Hn ](2-) closo boron hydride clusters. The closo boron hydride clusters can be categorized into different series, according to the n value of the Hückel (4 n+2) π rule. The distinct categories studied in this work correspond to n=1, 2, and 3. Each category increases in geometrical difficulty but, more importantly, it is possible to associate each category with the number of pentagonal layers in the structure perpendicular to the main axis. Category 1 has one pentagonal layer, category 2 has two, and category 3 has three.

ChemInform Abstract: Transition Metal Mediated Functionalization of O‐Carboranes

AbstractReview: 10 refs.

ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of 13‐ and 14‐Vertex Carboranes

AbstractReview: 39 refs.

Transition metal mediated functionalization of o-carboranes

Carboranes are a class of boron hydride clusters in which one or more of the BH vertices are replaced by CH units. Unlike small boranes, carboranes are kinetically and thermodynamically very stable as well as relatively chemically inert, which are often called three-dimensional relatives of benzenes. They are finding many applications in medicine as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents, in nanomaterials/supramolecular design as building blocks, and as ligands for transition metals [1]. However, their unique structures make derivatization difficult, which limits their application scope. To this end, there is a need to develop new methodologies for the functionalization of carboranes. In view of the widespread use of transition metals in synthetic chemistry, we initiated a research program to develop transition metal-mediated/catalyzed synthetic methods for cage C–H/B–H functionalization of carboranes. This short article highlights the recent development and addresses the problems in this growing area. Earlier experimental results show that the M–Ccage (Ccage: hypervalent carbon) σ bond in transition metal-carboranyl complexes are generally inert toward various electrophiles, and hence significantly different from traditional M–C (C: tetravalent carbon) bonds [2]. This can be ascribed to steric effects resulting from the carboranyl moiety. To overcome this steric problem and to activate the non-traditional M–Ccage bonds, a series of transition metal-o-carboryne (ocarboryne = 1,2-dehydro-o-carborane) complexes have been prepared as the formation of metallacyclopropane opens up the coordination sphere and creates ring strain, facilitating the reactions of M–Ccage bonds with electrophiles (Chart 1). In fact, metal-o-carboryne complexes are important intermediates for the preparation of a large class of cage C–H functionalized carboranes. For instance, the nickel-oChart 1 o-Carborane and its derivatives.

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of 13- and 14-vertex carboranes.

Carboranes are a class of polyhedral boron hydride clusters in which one or more of the BH vertices are replaced by CH units. Their chemistry has been dominated by 12-vertex carboranes for over half a century. In contrast, knowledge regarding supercarboranes (carboranes with more than 12 vertices) had been limited merely to possible cage geometries predicted by theoretical work before 2003. Only in recent years has significant progress been made in synthesizing supercarboranes. Such a breakthrough relied on the use of Carbon-Atoms-Adjacent (CAd) nido-carborane dianions or arachno-carborane tetraanions as starting materials. In this Account, we describe our work on constructing and elucidating the chemistry of supercarboranes. Earlier attempted insertions of the formal [BR](2+) unit into Carbon-Atoms-Apart (CAp) 12-vertex nido-[7,9-C2B10H12](2-) did not produce the desired 13-vertex carboranes. Such failure is often attributed to the extraordinary stability of the B12 icosahedron (the "icosahedral barrier"). However, the difference in reducing power between CAp and CAd 12-vertex nido-carborane dianions had been overlooked. Our results have shown that CAd nido-carborane dianions are weaker reducing agents than the CAp isomers, allowing a capitation to prevail over a redox reactivity. This finding provides an entry point to the synthesis of supercarboranes and a series of 13- and 14-vertex closo-carboranes have been prepared and structurally characterized. They share some chemical properties with those of 12-vertex carboranes; on the other hand, they have their own unique characteristics. For example, a 13- vertex closo-carborane can undergo single electron reduction to give a stable carborane radical anion with [2n + 3] framework electrons, which can accept one additional electron to form a 13-vertex CAd nido-carborane dianion. 13-Vertex closo-carborane can also react with various nucleophiles to afford the cage carbon and/or boron extrusion products closo-CB11(-), nido-CB10(-), closo-CB10(-), and closo-C2B10, depending on the nature of the nucleophiles. Studies of supercarboranes remain a relative young research area, particularly in comparison to the rich literature of icosahedral carboranes with 12-vertices. Other supercarboranes are expected to be prepared and structurally characterized as the field progresses, and the results detailed here will further these efforts.

Tuning the Photophysical Properties of anti-B18H22: Efficient Intersystem Crossing between Excited Singlet and Triplet States in New 4,4′-(HS)2-anti-B18H20.

The tuning of the photophysical properties of the highly fluorescent boron hydride cluster anti-B18H22 (1), by straightforward chemical substitution to produce 4,4'-(HS)2-anti-B18H20 (2), facilitates intersystem crossing from excited singlet states to a triplet manifold. This subsequently enhances O2((1)Δg) singlet oxygen production from a quantum yield of ΦΔ ∼ 0.008 in 1 to 0.59 in 2. This paper describes the synthesis and full structural characterization of the new compound 4,4'-(HS)2-anti-B18H20 (2) and uses UV-vis spectroscopy coupled with density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio computational studies to delineate and explain its photophysical properties.

Planar D 2h B26H8, D 2h B26H8 2+, and C 2h B26H6: Building Blocks of Stable Boron Sheets with Twin-Hexagonal Holes

The most stable mono-layer boron sheets were predicted to have both the isolated hexagonal hole and the twin-hexagonal hole. Previous investigations indicate that planar B18H (n = 3–6, q = n − 4) are the building blocks of boron sheets with isolated hexagonal holes. Extensive DFT investigations performed in this work show that D 2h B26H8, D 2h B26H8 2+, and C 2 B26H6, may serve as the building blocks of boron sheets with twin-hexagonal holes. These bicyclic clusters possess planar or quasi-planar geometries at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level, with 16, 14, and 14 delocalized π electrons, respectively. Detailed analyses indicate that they are overall aromatic in nature, with the formation of islands of both σ and π aromaticity. They are analogous to D 2h C16H14 and D 2h C16H14 2+ in π bonding patterns, respectively, but fundamentally different from the latter in σ-bonding. Remarkably, all of them appear to be energetically the lowest-lying isomers obtained, which are promising targets for future gas phase syntheses. These hydroboron clusters, together with B18H clusters, establish the molecular basis for modeling the short-range structures, nucleation, and growth processes of monolayer boron sheets. The results obtained in this work enrich the chemistry of boron hydride clusters and expand the analogy relationship between hydroborons and hydrocarbons.

Analysis of Why Boron Avoids sp2 Hybridization and Classical Structures in the BnHn+2 Series

We performed global minimum searches for the B(n) H(n+2) (n=2-5) series and found that classical structures composed of 2c-2e B-H and B-B bonds become progressively less stable along the series. Relative energies increase from 2.9 kcal mol(-1) in B(2) H(4) to 62.3 kcal mol(-1) in B(5) H(7). We believe this occurs because boron atoms in the studied molecules are trying to avoid sp(2) hybridization and trigonal structure at the boron atoms, as in that case one 2p-AO is empty, which is highly unfavorable. This affinity of boron to have some electron density on all 2p-AOs and avoiding having one 2p-AO empty is a main reason why classical structures are not the most stable configurations and why multicenter bonding is so important for the studied boron-hydride clusters as well as for pure boron clusters and boron compounds in general.

ChemInform Abstract: Cyclic Oxonium Derivatives as an Efficient Synthetic Tool for the Modification of Polyhedral Boron Hydrides

AbstractReview: 88 refs.

Planar π-aromatic C3h B6H 3 + and π-antiaromatic C2h B8H2: boron hydride analogues of D3h C3H 3 + and D2h C4H4

Based upon extensive density functional theory and wave function theory calculations performed in this work, we predict the existence of the perfectly planar triangle C(3h) B(6)H(3)(+) (1, (1)A') and the double-chain stripe C(2h) B(8)H(2) (9, (1)A(g)) which are the ground states of the systems and the inorganic analogues of cyclopropene cation D(3h) C(3)H (3) (+) and cyclobutadiene D(2h) C(4)H(4), respectively. Detailed adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analyses indicate that C(3h) B(6)H (3) (+) is π plus σ doubly aromatic with two delocalized π-electrons and six delocalized σ-electrons formally conforming to the 4n + 2 aromatic rule, while C(2h) B(8)H(2) is π antiaromatic and σ aromatic with four delocalized π-electrons and ten delocalized σ-electrons. The perfectly planar C(2h) B(8)H(4) (5, (1)A(g)) also proves to be π antiaromatic analogous to D(2h) C(4)H(4), but it appears to be a local minimum about 50 kJ mol(-1) less stable than the three dimensional C(s) B(8)H(4)(6, (1)A'). AdNDP, nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) and electron localization function (ELF) analyses indicate that these boron hydride clusters form islands of both σ- and π-aromaticities and are overall aromatic in nature in ELF aromatic criteria.

Decaborane Thiols as Building Blocks for Self-Assembled Monolayers on Metal Surfaces

Three nido-decaborane thiol cluster compounds, [1-(HS)-nido-B(10)H(13)] 1, [2-(HS)-nido-B(10)H(13)] 2, and [1,2-(HS)(2)-nido-B(10)H(12)] 3 have been characterized using NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and quantum-chemical calculations. In the solid state, 1, 2, and 3 feature weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the sulfur atom and the relatively positive bridging hydrogen atoms on the open face of an adjacent cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the value of the interaction energy is approximately proportional to the number of hydrogen atoms involved in the interaction and that these values are consistent with a related bridging-hydrogen atom interaction calculated for a B(18)H(22)·C(6)H(6) solvate. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 1, 2, and 3 on gold and silver surfaces have been prepared and characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The variations in the measured sulfur binding energies, as thiolates on the surface, correlate with the (CC2) calculated atomic charge for the relevant boron vertices and for the associated sulfur substituents for the parent B(10)H(13)(SH) compounds. The calculated charges also correlate with the measured and DFT-calculated thiol (1)H chemical shifts. Wetting-angle measurements indicate that the hydrophilic open face of the cluster is directed upward from the substrate surface, allowing the bridging hydrogen atoms to exhibit a similar reactivity to that of the bulk compound. Thus, [PtMe(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] reacts with the exposed and acidic B-H-B bridging hydrogen atoms of a SAM of 1 on a gold substrate, affording the addition of the metal moiety to the cluster. The XPS-derived stoichiometry is very similar to that for a SAM produced directly from the adsorption of [1-(HS)-7,7-(PMe(2)Ph)(2)-nido-7-PtB(10)H(11)] 4. The use of reactive boron hydride SAMs as templates on which further chemistry may be carried out is unprecedented, and the principle may be extended to other binary boron hydride clusters.

Perfectly planar concentric π-aromatic B18H3−, B18H4, B18H5+, and B18H62+ with [10]annulene character

Based upon extensive density functional theory and wave function theory investigations, we predict the existence of the perfectly planar concentric π-aromatic D(3h) B(18)H(3)(-)(6), D(2h) B(18)H(4)(8), C(2v) B(18)H(5)(+)(10), and D(6h) B(18)H(6)(2+)(12) which are the smallest boron hydride clusters composed of a hybrid of the triangular and hexagonal motifs with a hexagonal hole at the center. These partially hydrogenated B(18) clusters, tentatively referred to as borannulenes in this work, prove to possess [10]annulene character with 10 delocalized π-electrons. Detailed adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analyses unravel the bonding patterns of the π plus σ doubly aromatic D(3h) B(18)H(3)(-)(6) and C(2v) B(18)H(5)(+)(10) and the π aromatic and σ antiaromatic D(2h) B(18)H(4)(8) and D(6h) B(18)H(6)(2+)(12). Borannulenes prove to possess negative nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS(zz)) comparable with that of [10]annulene and huge negative anisotropies of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) much bigger than the latter. The slightly non-planar C(s) B(18)H(3)(-)(15) (which is essentially the same as D(3h) B(18)H(3)(-)) with a high first vertical detachment energy of 3.71 eV and the perfectly planar D(2h) B(18)H(4) neutral with a huge first excitation energy of 1.89 eV are predicted to be the most possible borannulenes to be targeted in future experiments.

Structural Chemistry ofarachno-Nonaboranes

Single-crystal conventional-tube and synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies of the anions in [NMe(4)][arachno-B(9)H(12)-4,8-Br(2)] 1 and K[arachno-B(9)H(14)] 2, and also of the series of adducts [arachno-B(9)H(13)-4-L], where L is P(CCH)(3) (3), NHEt(2) (4), NC(5)H(5) (5), or NH(2)CH(2)Ph (6), are reported. Structural studies of 1-6, determined at low temperatures, located all atoms, including bridging and endo-terminal hydrogen atoms. The basic boron-hydride clusters of these, and of all the other known species with the arachno nine-vertex i-nonanborane geometry reported in the literature, are isostructural and feature three bridging and two endo-terminal hydrogen atoms on the open face. This arrangement is different from that previously reported for Cs[arachno-B(9)H(14)] 7 and for [arachno-B(9)H(13)-4-(NCMe)] 9. However, a new X-ray diffraction data set and refinement experimentally confirm the [3 x mu-H, 2 x endo] arrangement for 9 also. The experimental results for 1-6 support recently reported calculations for [B(9)H(14)](-), which predict both the structures and the (11)B NMR chemical shifts. These conclusions are also supported by calculations for 3, 4, and 9 and also for the [arachno-B(9)H(13)-4-(NCS)](-) anion in [NMe(4)][B(9)H(13)(NCS)] 8.

Complete basis set, gaussian and density functional theory study of molecular aggregates of beryllium hydride and boron hydride as a chain terminated in the polymerization of beryllium hydride

High levels of ab initio and density functional theory studies were performed on the structural isomers of beryllium hydride and beryllium–boron hydride clusters. The suitability of the hybrid density functional theory methods for computational studies of these and similar molecular clusters were discussed. The physical properties of beryllium chloride and beryllium hydride were computed with the target being to elucidate their capability to form molecular associates. Because polymerization of beryllium hydride is energetically favorable, several ways of generating beryllium hydride and its polymerization were explored. For instance, in the case of the BeH 2 insertion reaction into B 2H 6, the reaction appears to have a favorable energy profile that can be controlled, but the formation of the linear isomer is still preferable. Structural patterns in various sizes of these clusters, as well as their energies are discussed.

Solid State and Solution Structures of 9-Vertex Arachno Boron Hydride Clusters. An ab Initio/IGLO/NMR Study

The ab initio/IGLO/NMR method clarifies the structures of several 9-vertex boron hydride clusters by comparing computed chemical shifts using various geometries with NMR data in solution. The exper...

CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION OF METAL BORIDES: 7. THE RELATIVELY LOW TEMPERATURE FORMATION OF CRYSTALLINE LANTHANUM HEXABORIDE THIN FILMS FROM BORON HYDRIDE CLUSTER COMPOUNDS BY CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of high quality polycrystalline thin films of lanthanum hexaboride, LaB 6, was achieved through the vacuum copyrolysis of the boron hydride clusters, nido-pentaborane(9) [B 5H 9] and nido-decaborane(14) [B 10H 14], with lanthanum(III) chloride at 800–900°C. The reddish purple films adhered well to the deposition substrates explored (copper, quartz, Pyrex and ceramic materials). Deposition rates of approximately 1–2 μm/h were typically observed. The films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), wavelength dispersive X-ray emission spectrometry (WDXES), and glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS). WDXES and GDMS data showed that the LaB 6 films were relatively uniform in composition in the bulk material. SEM data showed that the as-deposited materials were very highly crystalline. Films which consisted either partly or entirely of square rods of LaB 6 with either square or finely tapered tips could also be grown. Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) experiments confirmed the identity of the square rods as crystalline cubic LaB 6.

Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal Borides, 4: The Application of Polyhedral Boron Clusters to the Chemical Vapor Deposition Formation of Gadolinium Boride Thin-film Materials

The chemical vapor deposition of high-quality polycrystalline thin films of gadolinium hexaboride, GdB6, was achieved through the vacuum copyrolysis of gas-phase boron hydride clusters, such as nido-pentaborane(9) [B5H9] and nido-decaborane(14) [B10H14], and gadolinium(III) chloride. These films typically displayed deep blue colors, were very hard and adhered very well to most deposition substrates. Depositions were carried out on a variety of substrates including quartz, copper, silicon, SiO2 and ceramic materials. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic data showed the formation of highly crystalline materials with a strongly preferred orientation in the (111) direction. Attempted depositions of gadolinium boride films on CaF2(111) resulted in the apparent formation of a ternary (Ca/Gd)B6 phase in which the calcium is presumably substituted for gadolinium atoms in the cubic GdB6 structure. The gadolinium boride thin films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and glow-discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS). GDMS showed that the GdB6 films were relatively uniform in composition in the bulk material.