Synthesis and characterization of a C-functionalized chelating carboranyl and its chromium(III) complex ligand

The reaction of 1,2-dicarba-o-carborane with two equivalents of t-butyllithium in THF followed by the addition of 2-chloromethylpyridine produced C2B10H11, (1), in 65% yield. Cage degradation of (1) using potassium hydroxide in 95% ethanol followed by the addition of cesium iodide produced [7-(CH2C5H4N)-7,8-C2B9H11](-), Cs+, (2). Reaction of compound (2) with NaH, followed by 1 equiv. of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride afforded the chromacarborane [7-(CH2C5H4N)-7,8-C2B9H10CrCl], (3). Compound(3)was characterized by elemental analyses, IR and mass spectra Compounds (I)and (2) were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and NMR. In addition, compound (1) was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.