Hexaborane(10)

Hexaborane(10)

Identifiers
CAS Number	23777-80-2
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/B6H10/c7-1-2-3(1)4(1,7)6(3,9-4)5(2,3,8-2)10-6/h1-6H Key: RNDYOGWDQULVQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [BH]1234[BH]5([H]6)[BH]61([H]7)[BH]72([H]8)[BH]83([H]9)[BH]945
Properties
Chemical formula	B6H10
Molar mass	74.94 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Hexaborane, also called hexaborane(10) to distinguish it from hexaborane(12) (B₆H₁₂), is a boron hydride cluster with the formula B₆H₁₀. It is a colorless liquid that is unstable in air. ^[1]

Structure

NMR interpretation of hexaborane(10), showing its structure

Hexaborane(10) is classified as a nido-cluster. ^{[2] : 152} The boron atoms define a pentagonal pyramid, with four bridging hydrogen atoms and six terminal ones. The point group of the molecule is C_s. ^[3]

Preparation and reactions

A laboratory route begins with bromination of pentaborane(11) followed by deprotonation of the bromide to give [BrB₅H₇]⁻. This anionic cluster is reduced with diborane to give the neutral product: ^[1]

K[BrB₅H₇] + 1/2 B₂H₆ → KBr + B₆H₁₀

It can also be generated by pyrolysis of pentaborane(11).

B₆H₁₀ can be deprotonated to give [B₆H₉]⁻ or protonated to give [B₆H₁₁]⁺. ^[1] It can act as a Lewis base towards reactive borane radicals, forming various conjuncto-clusters. ^{[2] : 162}

References

1. Remmel, R. J.; Johnson, H. D.; Brice, V. T.; Shore, S. G.; Gaines, D. F. (1979). Hexaborane(10). Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 19. pp. 247–253. doi:10.1002/9780470132500.ch58. ISBN   9780470132500.
2. Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN   978-0-08-037941-8.
3. Hirshfeld, F. L.; Eriks, K.; Dickerson, R. E.; Lippert, E. L.; Lipscomb, William N. (1958). "Molecular and Crystal Structure of B6H10" . The Journal of Chemical Physics. 28 (1): 56–61. Bibcode:1958JChPh..28...56H. doi:10.1063/1.1744080. ISSN   0021-9606.