Synthesis Of Nido-B11h14- And Alkyl Derivatives Via Systematic Cage Enlargement Of The Decaborane(14) System - Crystal-Structure Of 7-Thx-B11h13-

The B11H14- anion and the first alkylated derivatives thereof have been prepared from B10H13- or 6-alkyl-B10H12-, respectively, and ClBH2.SMe2 in the presence of either ''proton sponge'', 1,8-bis(dimethylamino) napthalene, or sodium hydride. The mechanisms of insertion, with respect to the proton acceptor, appear to be slightly different. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the 7-Thx-B11H13- anion verifies the cluster geometry deduced from B-11-B-11 COSY NMR.