Polyhedral monocarbaborane chemistry

Two-electron donor ligands L with [6-Ph-nido-6-CB9H11]− in the presence of {FeCl3(OH2)6} give neutral arachno ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [6-Ph-9-L-arachno-6-CB9H12]. When L is a pyridine-type ligand neutral closo ten-vertex monocarbaboranes [1-Ph-6-L-closo-1-CB9H8] are formed on prolonged treatment with {FeCl3(OH2)6}.