A new class of small nido-carborane compounds containing a stable B–MMe3–B (MSi or Ge) three-centre bond

Abstract

The preparation of 2,3-µ-trimethylsilyl (and germyl)-CC′-dimethyl-4,5-dicarba-nido-hexaborane(8),2,3-µ-Me₃MC₂Me₂B₄H₅, (M = Si or Ge), has been achieved by the action of the trimethylchloro-compounds, Me₃-MCI, on the anion, C₂Me₂B₄H₅^–; the compounds do not isomerise at room temperature to the terminal isomers.