Crystal and molecular structure of µ,2′-SnPh2(B5H8)2 and µ,1′-SnPh2(B5H8)2: the first structurally characterized examples of two pentaborane cages linked by a single heteroatom

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of three of the six possible linkage isomers of SnPh₂(B₅H₈)₂ is reported, reaction between K[B₅H₈] and SnCl₂Ph₂, in 2 : 1 molar ratio, affording either µ,µ′-SnPh₂(B₅H₈)₂µ,1,µ,2′-SnPh₂(B₅H₈)₂,2, or µ,1′-SnPh₂(B₅H₈)₂,3, depending on the choice of solvent and conditions; the crystal structures of 2 and 3 are reported and 3 is also prepared in the reaction between K[B₅H₈] and 1-SnClPh₂B₅H₈.