Selective Functionalization of Carbonyl Closo-Decaborate [2-B10H9CO](-) with Building Block Properties via Grignard Reagents

A green, fast and selective approach for the synthesis of mono-substituted closo-decaborate derivatives [2-B10H9COR](2-) has been established via a nucleophilic addition reaction between the carbonyl derivative of closo-decaborate [2-B10H9CO](-) and the corresponding Grignard reagent RMgX, where R is the ethyl, iso-propyl, pentyl, allyl, vinyl and propynyl groups. This approach is accomplished under mild conditions with 70-80% yields. The significance of these derivative is their ability to constitute building blocks for polymeric integration via the allyl, vinyl and propynyl substituents. All products were characterized by B-11, H-1 and C-13 NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry.