The Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Carborane Derivatives Containing Main Group and f-Block Elements

Abstract

The synthesis, X-ray structural characterization, and reactivity of a number of novel metallacarborane compounds including those that exhibit η⁵-dicarbollide ligands bound to aluminum, silicon, and 4f-block elements are discussed. These compounds include the first sandwich compounds to contain main group elements in their highest formal oxidation states, [commo-3, 3′-M(3,1, 2-MC₂B₉H₁₁)₂]ⁿ (M = Al, n = -1; M = Si, n = 0), and the first examples of lanthanacarboranes, closo-C₂B₉H₁₁Ln (THF)₄ (Ln = Sm, Yb) and [3,3-(THF)₂-commo-3,3′-Sm(3,1,2-SmC₂B₉H₁₁)2]^-.