Synthesis of Disubstituted Carboxonium Derivatives of Closo-Decaborate Anion [2,6-B10H8O2CC6H5]-: Theoretical and Experimental Study

A comprehensive study focused on the preparation of disubstituted carboxonium derivatives of closo-decaborate anion [2,6-B₁₀H₈O₂CC₆H₅]^- was carried out. The proposed synthesis of the target product was based on the interaction between the anion [B₁₀H₁₁]^- and benzoic acid C₆H₅COOH. It was shown that the formation of this product proceeds stepwise through the formation of a mono-substituted product [B₁₀H₉OC(OH)C₆H₅]^-. In addition, an alternative one-step approach for obtaining the target derivative is postulated. The structure of tetrabutylammonium salts of carboxonium derivative ((C₄H₉)₄N)[2,6-B₁₀H₈O₂CC₆H₅] was established with the help of X-ray structure analysis. The reaction pathway for the formation of [2,6-B₁₀H₈O₂CC₆H₅]^- was investigated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This process has an electrophile induced nucleophilic substitution (EINS) mechanism, and intermediate anionic species play a key role. Such intermediates have a structure in which one boron atom coordinates two hydrogen atoms. The regioselectivity for the process of formation for the 2,6-isomer was also proved by theoretical calculations. Generally, in the experimental part, the simple and available approach for producing disubstituted carboxonium derivative was introduced, and the mechanism of this process was investigated with the help of theoretical calculations. The proposed approach can be applicable for the preparation of a wide range of disubstituted derivatives of closo-borate anions.

Metal-Catalyzed and Metal-Free Nucleophilic Substitution of 7-I-B18H21

In this work, two pathways of reactivity are investigated to generate site-specific substitutions at the B7 vertex of the luminescent boron cluster, anti-B₁₈H₂₂. First, a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction utilizing the precursor 7-I-B₁₈H₂₁ and a series of model nucleophiles was developed, ultimately producing several B-N- and B-O-substituted species. Interestingly, the B-I bond in this cluster can also be substituted in an uncatalyzed fashion, leading to the formation of various B-N, B-O, and B-S products. This work highlights intricate differences corresponding to these two reaction pathways and analyzes the role of solvents and additives on product distributions. As a result of our synthetic studies, seven new B₁₈-based clusters were synthesized, isolated, and characterized by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The photoluminescence properties of two structurally similar ether and thioether products were further investigated, with both exhibiting blue fluorescence in solution at 298 K and long-lived green or yellow phosphorescence at 77 K. Overall, this work shows, for the first time, the ability to perform substitution of a boron-halogen bond with nucleophiles in a B₁₈-based cluster, resulting in the formation of photoluminescent molecules.

Protonation of Borylated Carboxonium Derivative [2,6-B10H8O2CCH3]−: Theoretical and Experimental Investigation

The process of protonation of [2,6-B10H8O2CCH3]− was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The most suitable conditions for protonation of the derivative [2,6-B10H8O2CCH3]− were found. The process of protonation was carried out in the presence of an excess of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid CF3SO3H at room temperature in dichloromethane solution. The structure of the resulting complex [2,6-B10H8O2CCH3*Hfac]0 was established using NMR data and the results of DFT calculations. An additional proton atom Hfac was found to be localized on one of the facets that was opposite the boron atom in a substituted position, and which bonded mainly with one apical boron atom. The main descriptors of the B-Hfac bond were established theoretically using QTAIM and NBO approaches. In addition, the mechanism of [2,6-B10H8O2CCH3]− protonation was investigated.

Icosahedral m-Carboranes Containing Exopolyhedral B-Se and B-Te Bonds

Chalcogen-containing carboranes have been known for several decades and possess stable exopolyhedral B(9)-Se and B(9)-Te σ bonds despite the electron-donating ability of the B(9) vertex. While these molecules are known, little has been done to thoroughly evaluate their electrophilic and nucleophilic behavior. Herein, we report an assessment of the electrophilic reactivity of m-carboranylselenyl(II), -tellurenyl(II), and -tellurenyl(IV) chlorides and establish their reactivity pattern with Grignard reagents, alkenes, alkynes, enolates, and electron-rich arenes. These electrophilic reactions afford unique electron-rich B-Y-C (Y = Se, Te) bonding motifs not commonly found before. Furthermore, we show that m-carboranylselenolate, and even m-carboranyltellurolate, can be competent nucleophiles and participate in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. Arene substitution chemistry is shown to be further extended to electron-rich species via palladium-mediated cross-coupling chemistry.

Direct and Regioselective Palladium(II)-Catalyzed B(4)-H Monoacyloxylation and B(4,5)-H Diacetoxylation of o-Carborane Acids with Phenyliodonium Dicarboxylates

A direct B(4)-H monoacyloxylation via a Pd-catalyzed regioselective B(4)-H activation of o-carborane acids with phenyliodonium dicarboxylates was developed, and a series of B(4)-H monoacyloxylated o-carboranes decorated with active groups were synthesized with moderate to good yields as well as excellent selectivity. In addition, a direct B(4,5)-H diacetoxylation from o-carborane acids with phenyliodonium diacetate was demonstrated.

Fused 1,2-Diboraoxazoles Based on closo-Decaborate Anion-Novel Members of Diboroheterocycle Class

The novel members of the 1,2-diboraoxazoles family have been obtained. In the present work, we have carried out the intramolecular ring-closure reaction of borylated iminols of general type [B₁₀H₉N=C(OH)R]⁻ (R = Me, Et, ⁿPr, ⁱPr, ^tBu, Ph, 4-Cl-Ph). This process is conducted in mild conditions with 83–87% yields. The solid-state structures of two salts of 1,2-diboraoxazoles were additionally investigated by X-ray crystallography. In addition, the phenomena of bonding interactions in the 1,2-diboraoxazole cycles have been theoretically studied by the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules analysis. Several local and integral topological properties of the electron density involved in these interactions have been computed.

Theoretical study of the NHC-catalyzed C–S bond cleavage and reconstruction reaction: mechanism, stereoselectivity, and role of catalysts

The mechanism of the NHC-catalyzed C–S bond activation reaction has been theoretically studied and ELF analysis along with IRC results shows that the NHC promotes the cleavage of the C–S bond via an SN2 process.