Zinc and magnesium derivatives of decaborane
Abstract
Organozinc compounds such as Me2Zn, Et2Zn, and Ph2Zn react at room temperature with decaborane in diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran to yield the corresponding hydrocarbon (MeH, EtH, and PhH) and ZnB10H12,xS (where x= 1·3–2·0 and S is a molecule of ether solvent). The products are considered to be further examples of neutral 6,9-internally bridged derivatives of decaborane and to contain direct Zn–B bonds. The compounds ZnB10H12,xS ionise in aqueous or alcoholic solutions to give the dianion [(B10H12)2Zn]2–. The ultraviolet, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these compounds have been recorded and their structures and probable topology are discussed. A related reaction of decaborane with diethylmagnesium at low temperatures yields the compound MgB10H12, 2Et2O but this decomposes in hydroxylic solvents with evolution of hydrogen. Dimethylmercury does not react with decaborane even on prolonged refluxing in diethyl ether.