Crystal structure of bis[bis(diethyl ether)-µ-(dodecahydro-nido-decaborato)-cadmium],[(Et2O)2Cd(B10H12)]2

Abstract

The structure of the compound of empirical formula (Et₂O)₂Cd(B₁₀H₁₂) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques from diffractometer data. Crystals are triclinic, space-group P1 with one dimeric unit in the unit cell of dimensions a= 9·386(13), b= 10·854(18), c= 10·202(17)Å, α= 90·07(9)°, β= 105·60(9)°, and γ= 102·80(8)°. Because of disorder in the positions of the ethyl carbon atoms, the structure was not solved completely (final R 9·8 % for 3423 independent reflections), but the dominant features have been elucidated; the molecules are dimeric, each cadmium atom being bonded (via three-centre bonds) to two B₁₀H₁₂ icosahedral fragments. The co-ordination environment of each cadmium is completed by two ether ligands. The two B₁₀H₁₂ units therefore act as bridges between the metal atoms and can be considered to be related to decaborane by replacement of two bridging hydrogen atoms by the cadmium atoms.