Structure of the polyhedral metal–borane complex methyltriphenylphosphonium bis(dodecahydro-nido-decaborato)zincate [Ph3MeP]2[Zn(B10H12)2]

Abstract

The structure of the compound [Ph₃MeP]₂[Zn(B₁₀H₁₂)₂] has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis; 4569 reflections were measured on a four-circle diffractometer. Crystals of the salt are monoclinic, space group C2/c with Z= 8 in the unit cell of dimensions a= 41·549(34), b= 10·071(8), c= 23·500(18)Å, and β= 99·20(5)°. The structure was solved by Fourier methods and refined by least-squares calculations to a final R of 8·9%; all 121 atoms were located. The anionic complex can be considered to comprise two bidentate B₁₀H₁₂^2– ligands co-ordinated tetrahedrally to zinc(II). The distortions in the boron cluster due to the large size of the zinc atom are discussed. The cadmium and mercury analogues were shown to be isostructural.