Reaction of pentaborane(9) with charged and neutral ligand species. A new synthesis of the tetradecahydrononaborate(1 –) ion, B9H14–

Abstract

The hydride and octahydrotriborate(1 –) ions react with pentaborane(9) to yield ultimately the tetradecahydro-nonaborate(1 –) ion, B₉H₁₄^–. While a high conversion yield occurs with the H^– ion the yield with the B₃H₈^– ion is rather less, due to an increase in other boron hydride species in the reaction mixture. The reactions of pentaborane(9) with triphenyl- and trimethyl-phosphine to yield the discrete adducts B₅H_9′2PR₃(R = Me or Ph) are also reported. The latter species may also be prepared by the displacement of trimethylamine from B₅H₉,2NMe₃ by trimethylphosphine.