Brellochs reaction

In organoboron chemistry, the Brellochs reaction provides a way to generate the monocarboranes. The Brellochs method uses formaldehyde to insert single carbon atoms into boron hydrides.

Illustrative is the synthesis of CB9H14− from commercially available decaborane. B10H14 + CH2O + 2 OH− + H2O → CB9H14− + B(OH)4− + H2 Oxidation of the arachno anion gives nido-6-CB9H12−. Base degradation of the latter gives arachno-4-CB8H14.

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