Pentaborane(11) Explained

Pentaborane(11) is inorganic compound with the chemical formula B5H11. It is an obscure boron hydride cluster, especially relative to the heavily studied pentaborane(9) (B5H9). With two more hydrogen atoms than nido-pentaborane(9), pentaborane(11) is classified as an arachno- cluster.

Synthesis

Like many boron hydride clusters, pentaborane(11) was originally obtained from the pyrolysis of diborane. A more systematic synthesis entails treatment of [B<sub>4</sub>H<sub>9</sub>]− with boron tribromide. The Lewis acid abstracts hydride to give unstable B4H8, the precursor to B5H11:[1]

[B<sub>4</sub>H<sub>9</sub>]− + BBr3 → B4H8 + HBBr3−

2 B4H8 → B5H11 + "B3H5"

Notes and References

  1. New, Systematic Syntheses of Boron Hydrides via Hydride ion Abstraction Reactions: Preparation of B2H6, B4H10, B5H11, and B10H14. Toft . Mark A. . Leach . J. B. . Himpsl . Francis L. . Shore . Sheldon G. . Inorganic Chemistry. 1982. 21. 5. 1952–7. 10.1021/ic00135a048 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pentaborane(11)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.