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Decaborane

Names
Other names decaborane decaboron tetradecahydride
Identifiers
CAS Number	17702-41-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21241886 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.037.904
EC Number	241-711-8
PubChem CID	6328162
InChI InChI=1S/B10H14/c11-5-1-2-3(1,5)7(2,9(3,5,11)13-7)8(2)4(1,2)6(1,5)10(4,8,12-6)14-8/h1-10H Y Key: XAMMYYSPUSIWAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/B10H14/c11-5-1-2-3(1,5)7(2,9(3,5,11)13-7)8(2)4(1,2)6(1,5)10(4,8,12-6)14-8/h1-10H Key: XAMMYYSPUSIWAS-UHFFFAOYAD
SMILES [H]1[BH]234[BH]156[BH]278[BH]39([H]4)[BH]712[BH]853[BH]645[BH]311[BH]922[BH]14([H]5)[H]2
Properties
Chemical formula	B10H14
Molar mass	122.22 g/mol
Appearance	White crystals
Odor	bitter, chocolate-like[1]
Density	0.94 g/cm3[1]
Melting point	97–98 °C (207–208 °F; 370–371 K)
Boiling point	213 °C (415 °F; 486 K)
Solubility in other solvents	Slightly, in cold water. [1]
Vapor pressure	0.2 mmHg[1]
Hazards
Main hazards	may ignite spontaneously on exposure to air[1]
GHS pictograms
GHS signal word	Danger
GHS hazard statements	H228, H301, H310, H316, H320, H330, H335, H336, H370, H372
GHS precautionary statements	P210, P240, P241, P260, P261, P262, P264, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+310, P302+350, P304+340, P305+351+338, P307+311, P310, P312, P314, P320, P321, P322, P330, P332+313, P337+313
Flash point	80 °C; 176 °F; 353 K
Autoignition temperature	149 °C (300 °F; 422 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LC50 (median concentration)	276 mg/m3 (rat, 4 hr) 72 mg/m3 (mouse, 4 hr) 144 mg/m3 (mouse, 4 hr)[2]
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.3 mg/m3 (0.05 ppm) [skin][1]
REL (Recommended)	TWA 0.3 mg/m3 (0.05 ppm) ST 0.9 mg/m3 (0.15 ppm) [skin][1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	15 mg/m3[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Decaborane, also called decaborane(14), is the borane with the chemical formula B₁₀H₁₄. This white crystalline compound is one of the principal boron hydride clusters, both as a reference structure and as a precursor to other boron hydrides. It is toxic and volatile, with a foul smelling odor.^[3]

Handling properties and structure

The physical characteristics of decaborane(14) resemble those of naphthalene and anthracene, all three of which are volatile colorless solids. Sublimation is the common method of purification. Decaborane is highly flammable, but, like other boron hydrides, it burns with a bright green flame. It is not sensitive to moist air, although it hydrolyzes in boiling water, releasing hydrogen and giving a solution of boric acid. It is soluble in cold water as well as a variety of non-polar and moderately polar solvents.^[3]

In decaborane, the B₁₀ framework resembles an incomplete octadecahedron. Each boron has one "radial" hydride, and four boron atoms near the open part of the cluster feature extra hydrides. In the language of cluster chemistry, the structure is classified as "nido".

Synthesis and reactions

It is commonly synthesized via the pyrolysis of smaller boron hydride clusters. For example, pyrolysis of B₂H₆ or B₅H₉ gives decaborane, with loss of H₂.^[4] On a laboratory scale, sodium borohydride is treated with boron trifluoride to give NaB₁₁H₁₄, which is acidified to release borane and hydrogen gas.^[3]

It reacts with Lewis bases (L) such as CH₃CN and Et₂S, to form adducts:^[5][6]

B₁₀H₁₄ + 2 L → B₁₀H₁₂L₂ + H₂

These species, which are classified as "arachno" clusters, in turn react with acetylene to give the "closo" ortho-carborane:

B₁₀H₁₂·2L + C₂H₂ → C₂B₁₀H₁₂ + 2 L + H₂

Decaborane(14) is a weak Brønsted acid. Monodeprotonation generates the anion [B₁₀H₁₃]⁻, with again a nido structure.

Applications

Decaborane has no significant applications, although the compound has often been investigated.

Since the molecule decomposes in a plasma, yielding monatomic boron ions, decaborane is potentially useful as a fuel for aneutronic fusion.^[7] In 2018, LPP Fusion announced plans for using the material in its next round of fusion experiments.^[8] Decaborane has been assessed for low energy ion implantation of boron in the manufacture of semiconductors. It has also been considered for plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition for the manufacture of boron-containing thin films. In fusion research, the neutron-absorbing nature of boron has led to the use of these thin boron-rich films to "boronize" the walls of the tokamak vacuum vessel to reduce recycling of particles and impurities into the plasma and improve overall performance.^[9]

Decaborane was also developed as an additive to special high-performance rocket fuels. Its derivates were investigated as well, e.g. ethyl decaborane.

Decaborane is an effective reagent for the reductive amination of ketones and aldehydes.^[10]

Safety

Decaborane, like pentaborane, is a powerful toxin affecting the central nervous system, although decaborane is less toxic than pentaborane. It can be absorbed through skin.

Purification by sublimation require a dynamic vacuum to remove evolved gases. Crude samples explode near 100 °C.^[6]

It forms an explosive mixture with carbon tetrachloride, which caused an often-mentioned explosion in a manufacturing facility.^[11]

References

Further reading

• 
  "Decaborane(14)". WebBook. NIST.
  


• 
  "Boron and Compounds". National Pollutant Inventory. Australian Government.
  


• 
  "Decaborane". Organic Chemistry Portal.
  


• 
  "Boron compounds: decaborane (14)". WebElements.
  


• 
  "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Decaborane". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.