Steric effects of polymethylcarboranes. Unusual reactivity of N-(deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-carbonyl)pyridinium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)01508-7

Reaction of deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-carbonyl chloride with aniline in pyridine gives predominantly deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-carboxamide, accompanied by a small amount of the expected anilide. The results may be interpreted in terms of nucleophilic attack of aniline at the 2'-position of the N-(deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-carbonyl)pyridinium intermediate, followed by ring-opening of the pyridine nucleus and recyclization.