Carboraneradical anions: spectroscopic and electronic properties of a carboraneradical anion with a 2n + 3 skeletal electron count

Abstract

One-electron reduction of the well-known carborane 1,2-Ph₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1) gives rise to a stable carborane radical anion ([1]⁻) with a true 2n + 3 cluster electron count; the geometry of ([1]⁻) features an elongated C⋯C cage distance but no significant π-bonding interactions between the cage and the phenyl substituents.