Syntheses and chemistry of bis- and tris-mercaptoborates

The preparation and chemistry of bis- and tris-mercaptoborates based on closo-B(12) and closo-B(10) structures is described. These species undergo a number of reactions such as halogenation and alkylation without changing the closo-borane core. Addition of the third dimethylsulfide substituent to the closo-boranes is thought to proceed via an unusual cationic intermediate.