Preparation of [(C5Me5)2Rh2B17H19]via a degradative insertion from anti-B18H22, and a possible mechanism for anti→syn macropolyhedral interconversion

Abstract

Reaction of [(C₅Me₅)RhCl₂]₂ with anti-B₁₈H₂₂ in the presence of base yields, via boron vertex loss, a 19-vertex dirhodanonadecaborane [(C₅Me₅)₂Rh₂B₁₇H₁₉] of which the structure has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography; it comprises a 12-vertex nido{RhB₁₁} subcluster and a 10-vertex nido{5-RhB₉} subcluster conjoined with a common triangular {B₃} face so as to generate an effective syn configuration.