Pyrolysis of trimethylborane. Part I. The preparation and properties of 2,4,6,8,9,10-hexamethyl-2,4,6,8,9,10-hexabora-adamantane

Abstract

The preparation of 2,4,6,8,9,10-hexamethyl-2,4,6,8,9,10-hexabora-adamantane, (MeB)₆(CH)₄, in high yield (ca. 25%) by pyrolysis of BMe₃ is described. Degradation of the boron–carbon cage occurs in reactions of (MeB)₆(CH)₄ with oxygen, propanoic acid, and ammonia but no reaction occurs with water. It behaves as only a weak acceptor towards the donors, NMe₃, PMe₃, and PMe₂Ph, and stable complexes could not be isolated at room temperature.