Steric-Effects-Directed B-H Bond Activation of para-Carboranes.

The controllable B-H bond activation of carboranes has long been a compelling challenge. However, as the symmetry of para-carborane places the same charge on all of its ten boron atoms, controlling the regiochemistry of B-H bond activation in these molecules has remained out of reach ever since their discovery. Herein, we describe how to use steric effects to achieve a regioselective process for B-H activation of para-carborane. In this strategy, B(2,8)-H or B(2,7)-H activation patterns were achieved by taking advantage of the π-π interactions between pyridine ligands. Interestingly, by employing host-guest interactions in metallacage compounds, B(2,8)-H bond activation could be avoided and exclusive B(2,9)-H bond activation can be achieved. Steric hindrance was also found to be beneficial for regioselective B(2,8)-H bond activation in metallacage species. In this work, we demonstrate that steric effects can be a promising driving force for controllable activation of the B-H bonds of carboranes and open new opportunities in this field.

Transition metal-mediated B(4)-H hydroxylation/halogenation of o-carboranes bearing a 2-pyridylsulfenyl ligand.

The introduction of the 2-pyridylsulfenyl directing group to o-carboranes allowed either B(3)-Ir or B(4)-Ir bond formation using a steric effect strategy. Moreover, the reactivity of the B(4)-Rh o-carborane complexes with small molecules was probed by reactions with N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide and O2. Rhodium-mediated B(4)-hydroxylation and B(4)-halogenation which are seldom reported have been achieved under practical and mild conditions.

Regioselective B(3)-H bond activation based on an o-carboranyl dithiocarboxylate ligand and its derivatives.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of tetraphenylphosphonium o-carboranyl dithiocarboxylate (Ligand 1) and methyldithiocarboxyl-o-carborane (Ligand 2). The complexes [Cp*M(o-C2B10H11CS2)Cl] (M = Ir (3); Rh (4)) and [Cp*M(o-C2B10H11CS2)2] (M = Ir (5); Rh (6)) have been synthesized based on Ligand 1. The selective B-H bond activation of Ligand 2 has also been explored, leading to the synthesis of the B-H activated complex [Cp*Ir(o-C2B10H10CS2CH3)Cl] (7) and four of its substituted derivatives (8, 9, 10 and 11). All of these compounds have been characterised through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.

Metalloradicals Supported by a meta-Carborane Ligand.

In this work, a pincer-type complex [Cp*Ir-(SNPh)(SNHPh)(C2 B10 H9 )] (2) was synthesized and its reactivity studied in detail. Interestingly, molecular hydrogen can induce the transformation between the metalloradical [Cp*Ir-(SNPh)2 (C2 B10 H9 )] (5. ) and 2. A mixed-valence complex, [(Cp*Ir)2 -(SNPh)2 (C2 B10 H8 )] (7.+ ), was also synthesized by one-electron oxidation. Studies show that 7.+ is fully delocalized, possessing a four-centered-one-electron (S-Ir-Ir-S) bonding interaction. DFT calculations were also in good agreement with the experimental results.

Iridium-induced regioselective B-H and C-H activations at azo-substituted m-carboranes: facile access to polynuclear complexes.

Iridium(iii)-induced selective B(2,3)-H and C-H bond activations at mono- and bi-p-methoxybenzeneazo-substituted m-carboranes have been investigated. A powerful methodology is introduced for the preparation of unique polynuclear complexes featuring m-carboranyl ligands in a single step. The experimental results highlight that the base employed in the reaction plays a key role in the formation and the structures of the complexes.

Regioselective B-H/C-H activation and metal-metal bond formation induced by half-sandwich metals complexes at hydroxy-substituted o-carboranes.

A binuclear iridium complex, (Cp2*Ir2(CH2O)C2B10H8) (6), with a unique metal-metal bond has been synthesized and fully characterized. Importantly, this complex is constructed via selective C-H and B(3)-H bond activation on the carborane precursor. Additionally, when the proligand (2-pyridine)(o-carboranyl)methanol ligand was combined with a half-sandwich iridium complex, selective B(6)-H bond activation or metal-carbon bond formation can be induced by the use of different bases. And the rhodium complex constructed from (2-pyridine)(o-carboranyl)methanol ligand containing a metal-carbon bond has been obtained and fully characterized.