Clean-activation of the B–H bond in closo-decahydrodecaborate [B10H10]2− anion via soft-route

Series of closo-decaborate (NH4)2[B10H10] derivatives were prepared by their direct reaction with ligand L (alcohols or nitriles) via an auto-catalyzed reaction with NH4+ present as a counter cation. The reactions were carried out under mild conditions in open air at reflux in the absence of any subsidiary catalyst. The yield and degree of substitution of the derivatives depend on the duration of the reaction and the applied temperature. Derivatives were characterized by NMR, MS-ESI and TLC. The study elaborates the proposed mechanism of the nucleophilic substitution on [B10H10]2– by illustrating the assistance of an initiator to catalyze the reaction.