The methylzinc hydroborate derivative [(MeZn)2B3H7]2: synthesis, crystal structure and vibrational spectra of an unprecedented cluster compound

Abstract

The bis(methylzinc) derivative of triborane(9), prepared by the gas-phase reaction of B₄H₁₀ with Me₂Zn at ambient temperature, is a dimer [(MeZn)₂B₃H₇]₂ with an unprecedented structure featuring two distinct zinc environments; two B₃H₇ZnMe ligands, formally derived from B₃H₈ by replacement of a µ₂-H by a µ₂-ZnMe unit, each function in a bis(bidentate) manner linking together two other MeZn centres through pairs of Zn–H–B bridges.