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