Hexaborane, also called hexaborane(10) to distinguish it from hexaborane(12) (B6H12), is a boron hydride cluster with the formula B6H10. It is a colorless liquid that is unstable in air.
Structure
Hexaborane(10) is classified as a nido-cluster. The boron atoms define a pentagonal pyramid, with four bridging hydrogen atoms and six terminal ones. The point group of the molecule is Cs.
Preparation and reactions A laboratory route begins with bromination of pentaborane(11) followed by deprotonation of the bromide to give [BrB5H7]−. This anionic cluster is reduced with diborane to give the neutral product: K[BrB5H7] + 1/2 B2H6 → KBr + B6H10 It can also be generated by pyrolysis of pentaborane(11).
B6H10 can be deprotonated to give [B6H9]− or protonated to give [B6H11]+. It can act as a Lewis base towards reactive borane radicals, forming various conjuncto-clusters.
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