Unexpectedly facile isomerisation of [7,10-Ph2-7,10-nido-C2B10H10]2− to [7,9-Ph2-7,9-nido-C2B10H10]2−

Abstract

The 2e-reduction of 1,12-Ph₂-1,12-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ followed by oxidation or metallation gives products that arise from [7,9-Ph₂-7,9-nido-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, formed by unexpectedly facile isomerisation of the kinetic 7,10-isomer: the 4,1,6-MC₂B₁₀ compounds which result are progressively isomerised to 4,1,8- and 4,1,12-isomers for M = {CpCo} but to an equilibrium mixture of 4,1,8- and 4,1,12-isomers for M = {(arene)Ru}.