Synthesis and Investigation of [B20H17O(CH2)5]3–, a Novel Solvent Complex of the [B20H18]4– Ion: Inorganic Chemistry

Reaction of the [trans-B20H18]2– ion with the n-butoxide ion, formed in situ from reaction of n-butanol and NaH, in tetrahydropyran (THP) produces in good yield an unexpected and isolable solvent-coordinated polyhedral borane anion, [ae-B20H17O(CH2)5]3–. The anticipated product of nucleophilic attack, [ae-B20H17On-Bu]4–, is not observed under the reaction conditions. The solvent-coordinated product is also formed in the presence of either ethoxide or carbamate ion but is not observed if the ethoxide or carbamate ion is not present in stoichiometric amounts. In the presence of the n-butanethiol anion, the coordinated THP ring undergoes a ring-opening reaction, yielding the [ae-B20H17O(CH2)5Sn-Bu]4– anion. Ring opening is also observed in the presence of the ethoxide ion in refluxing THP. Isolation of the previously proposed analogous solvent-coordinated tetrahydrofuran (THF) product, [ae-B20H17O(CH2)4]3–, was unsuccessful; however, the product resulting from ring opening of THF by the n-butanethiol anion is reported.