Reaction of the closo-decaborate anion B10H102- with dichloroethane in the presence of hydrogen halides

The reactions of the closo-decaborate anion with hydrogen halides and dichloroethane have been studied. Irrespective of the hydrogen halide used (HCl, HBr, HI), chlorination to give mono-, di-, and trihalosubstituted products is the major process. The product ratio depends on the hydrogen halide used and on the synthesis temperature and time. The products have been identified by B-11 NMR, IR, and ESI mass spectra. The structure of (Ph-3(NaphCH(2))P)(2)B10H8Cl2 has been studied by X-ray diffraction. The geometry distortion of the closo-decaborate core found in the chlorinated derivatives is retained on further chemical transformations of the compound.