Photoinsertion of Alkynes into a Ferraborane. Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Tetracarbon Carborane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00530a020

The photolysis of the nido ferraborane, B4H8Fe(CO)3, in the presence of an alkyne, RCCR, produces a good yield of the tetracarbon carborane, R4C4B4H4.The C-tetramethyl derivative of this new carborane has been characterized primarily by mass and NMR spectroscopy.An intermediate in the formation of this carborane, (CH3)4C4B4H4Fe(CO)3, has been isolated and partially characterized.Evidence is also presented for the formation of six- and eight-carbon carboranes in this system.Finally, the photolytic behavior of the ferraborane is contrasted with that of the isoelectronic organometallic compond, C4H4Fe(CO)3.