Thiocyanation of <i>closo</i>-Dodecaborate B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>12</sub><sup>2−</sup>. A Novel Synthetic Route and Theoretical Elucidation of the Reaction Mechanism
Martin Lepšík
Martin Srnec
Jaromír Plešek
Miloš Buděšínský
Blanka Klepetářová
Drahomír Hnyk
Bohumír Grüner
Lubomír Rulíšek
10.1021/ic100206y.s001
https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Thiocyanation_of_i_closo_i_Dodecaborate_B_sub_12_sub_H_sub_12_sub_sup_2_sup_A_Novel_Synthetic_Route_and_Theoretical_Elucidation_of_the_Reaction_Mechanism/2763151
Although vast experimental experience has been accumulated about the reactions of icosahedral B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>12</sub><sup>2−</sup> borane cages, little is known about the mechanisms by which these reactions proceed. To address this issue, we have chosen the thiocyanation of B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>12</sub><sup>2−</sup> and have studied this reaction using both experimental and theoretical methods. First, we present a novel and more convenient synthetic route using <i>in situ</i> generated thiocyanogen, (SCN)<sub>2</sub>. The synthesized disubstituted product B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>10</sub>(SCN)<sub>2</sub><sup>2−</sup> is exclusively the <i>meta</i> positional isomer, as confirmed by the X-ray crystallographic analysis. The quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/def2-TZVP//RI-PBE/def2-SVP level show that the free energy differences between the <i>ortho</i>, <i>meta</i>, and <i>para</i> disubstituted species are very small and as such cannot explain the observed positional preferences. The calculations of the kinetic aspects reveal that the reaction is best described as an electrophilic substitution. The calculated isomer preferences for the second SCN substituent are <i>meta</i> > <i>para</i> > <i>ortho</i>. The major outcome of this work is a clear and consistent picture of the electrophilic substitution reaction mechanism of the thiocyanation of B<sub>12</sub>H<sub>12</sub><sup>2−</sup>, thus contributing to our understanding of the general features of boron hydride reactivity.
2010-06-07 00:00:00
quantum chemical calculations
para disubstituted species
disubstituted product B 12H
SCN
isomer
B 3LYP level show
ortho
electrophilic substitution reaction mechanism
preference
boron hydride reactivity
meta
thiocyanation
B 12H
icosahedral B 12H borane cages