Carborane

Carborane (English: Carboranes or Carbaboranes ) are boranes, in which one or more boron atoms are replaced by carbon atoms, for example the air-stable B10C2H12. Form carborane anions, such B9C2H112, which in turn form the dicarbollide stable complexes with metal ions. Such complexes, one of which is a very large number have been characterized, are often good catalysts, for example for the hydrogenation reaction.

The molecular structures which can be found in carboranes, similar to those observed for boranes. They can be with the help of Wade's rules to predict and understand. A common structural element is the icosahedron or a Ikosaederausschnitt.

Production

There are a variety of modes of representation, a much-used possibility is the reaction of a borane with ethyne in the heat or in a silent electric discharge. Other possibilities are the pyrolysis of methyl borane and the Brellochs reaction.

Carboransäure

The Carboransäure is the strongest acid.