Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Synthesis and structure of dirhodium analogue of octaborane-12 and decaborane-14
Dipak Kumar Roy1, Shubhankar Kumar Bose, R S Anju
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India.
Abstract:
We present the results of our investigation of a thermally driven cluster expansion of rhodaborane systems with BH(3)·THF. Four novel rhodaborane clusters, for example, nido-[(Cp*Rh)(2)B(6)H(10)], 1; nido-[(Cp*Rh)B(9)H(13)], 2; nido-[(Cp*Rh)(2)B(8)H(12)], 3; and nido-[(Cp*Rh)(3)B(8)H(9)(OH)(3)], 4 (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)), have been isolated from the thermolysis of [Cp*RhCl(2)](2) and borane reagents in modest yields. Rhodaborane 1 has a nido geometry and is isostructural with [B(8)H(12)]. The low temperature (11)B and (1)H NMR data demonstrate that compound 1 exists in two isomeric forms. The framework geometry of 2 and 3 is similar to that of [B(10)H(14)] with one BH group in 2 (3-position), and two BH groups in 3 (3, 4-positions) are replaced by an isolobal {Cp*Rh} fragment. The 11 vertex cluster 4 has a nido structure based on the 12 vertex icosahedron, having three rhodium and eight boron atoms. In addition, the reaction of rhodaborane 1 with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] yielded a condensed cluster [(Cp*Rh)(2){Fe(CO)(3)}(2)B(6)H(10)], 5. The geometry of 5 consists of [Fe(2)B(2)] tetrahedron and an open structure of [(Cp*Rh)(2)B(6)], fused through two boron atoms. The accuracy of these results in each case is established experimentally by spectroscopic characterization in solution and structure determinations in the solid state.
Related Concept Videos
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of X2 to 1,3-Butadiene
ortho–para-Directing Deactivators: Halogens
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3

