Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopy of the Biscarboranyl Stannylenes ()Sn·THF and K2[()Sn]2 ( = 1,1'(ortho-Biscarborane)) and Dibiscarboranyl Ethene ()CH=CH()

Two compounds containing a Sn(II) atom supported by a bidentate biscarborane ligand have been synthesized via salt metathesis. The synthetic procedures for (bc)Sn·THF (bc = 1,1' (ortho-carborane) (1) and K2[(bc)Sn]2 (2) involved the reaction of K2[bc] with SnCl2 in either a THF solution (1) or in a benzene/dichloromethane solvent mixture (2). Using the same solvent conditions as those used for 2 but using a shorter reaction time gave a dibiscarboranyl ethene (3). The products were characterized by 1H, 13C, 11B, 119Sn NMR, UV-vis, and IR spectroscopy, and by X-ray crystallography. The diffraction data for 1 and 2 show that the Sn atom has a trigonal pyramid environment and is constrained by the bc ligand in a planar five-membered C4Sn heterocycle. The 119Sn NMR spectrum of 1 displays a triplet of triplets pattern signal, which is unexpected given the absence of a Sn-H signal in the 1H NMR, IR spectrum, and X-ray crystallographic data. However, a comparison with other organotin compounds featuring a Sn atom bonded to carboranes reveal similar multiplets in their 119Sn NMR spectra, likely arising from long-range nuclear spin-spin coupling between the carboranyl 11B and 119Sn nuclei. Compound 3 displays structural and spectroscopic characteristics typical of conjugated alkenes.

Exploring the Reactivity of B‐Connected Carboranylphosphines in Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry: A New Frame for a Classic System

The primary phosphines MesPH₂ and tBuPH₂ react with 9‐iodo‐m‐carborane yielding B9‐connected secondary carboranylphosphines 1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PHR (R=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes; 1  a), tBu (1  b)). Addition of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) to 1  a, b resulted in the zwitterionic compounds 1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PHR(p‐C₆F₄)BF(C₆F₅)₂ (2  a, b) through nucleophilic para substitution of a C₆F₅ ring followed by fluoride transfer to boron. Further reaction with Me₂SiHCl prompted a H−F exchange yielding the zwitterionic compounds 1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PHR(p‐C₆F₄)BH(C₆F₅)₂ (3  a, b). The reaction of 2  a, b with one equivalent of R'MgBr (R’=Me, Ph) gave the extremely water‐sensitive frustrated Lewis pairs 1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PR(p‐C₆F₄)B(C₆F₅)₂ (4  a, b). Hydrolysis of the B−C₆F₄ bond in 4  a, b gave the first tertiary B‐carboranyl phosphines with three distinct substituents, 1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PR(p‐C₆F₄H) (5  a, b). Deprotonation of the zwitterionic compounds 2  a, b and 3  a, b formed anionic phosphines [1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PR(p‐C₆F₄)BX(C₆F₅)₂]⁻[DMSOH]⁺ (R=Mes, X=F (6  a), R=tBu, X=F (6  b); R=Mes, X=H (7  a), R=tBu, X=H (7  b)). Reaction of 2  a, b with an excess of Grignard reagents resulted in the addition of R’ at the boron atom yielding the anions [1,7‐H₂C₂B₁₀H₉‐9‐PR(p‐C₆F₄)BR’(C₆F₅)₂]⁻ (R=Mes, R’=Me (8  a), R=tBu, R’=Me (8  b); R=Mes, R’=Ph (9  a), R=tBu, R’=Ph (9  b)) with [MgBr(Et₂O)_n]⁺ as counterion. The ability of the zwitterionic compounds 3  a, b to hydrogenate imines as well as the Brønsted acidity of 3  a were investigated.

Synthesis, structure and DFT calculations of 1,2-N-substituted o-carboranes

A series of 1,2-N-substituted o-carboranes were obtained. The C-C bond lengths of secondary-amino o-carboranes 3 were compared. The relationship between C-C distances and the electron effects of the benzyl groups was discussed. DFT calculations with and without dispersion energy correction show that significant attractive dispersion forces were present, which arise from the skeletons of the o-carborane cages.

A facile approach for the synthesis of nido-carborane fused oxazoles via one pot deboronation/cyclization of 9-amide-o-carboranes

One pot deboronation/cyclization of 9-amide-o-carboranes for construction of nido-7,8-carborane fused oxazoles.

The closo-Dodecaborate Dianion Fused with Oxazoles Provides 3D Diboraheterocycles with Selective Antimicrobial Activity

The synthesis and application of icosahedral boron cluster compounds has been studied extensively since their discovery several decades ago; however, two aspects of their chemistry have received little attention: The possibility to form inorganic/organic fused boraheterocycles and their potential to act as antimicrobial agents. This work comprises the preparation of a class of 3D diborabenzoxazole analogues with the closo-dodecaborate in place of the benzene moiety. The presented synthetic procedures provide access to a wide range of diboraheterocycles under mild conditions. These 3D heterocycles exhibit strong and selective antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a widespread bacterial pathogen that has shown increasing incidences of multidrug resistance and for which the development of new antimicrobial compounds is urgently needed.