Exchange reactions of zirconium tetrakistetrahydroborate

Abstract

Zirconium hydroborate, Zr(BH₄)₄, undergoes exchange reactions with lithium hydroborate (and deuterioborate) in ether solution, which probably involve an intermediate of the type Li[Zr(BH₄)₅]. In the gas phase exchange occurs in the mixtures Zr(BH₄)₄–Zr(BD₄)₄ and Zr(BD₄)₄–B₂H₆, and a different mechanism is suggested which involves initial dissociation of the zirconium hydroborate compound. The results are compared with similar exchange reactions observed for aluminium hydroborate. The preparation and i.r. spectrum of the hitherto unreported zirconium deuterioborate are also described.