Synthesis, structures and photophysical properties of (o-carboranyl)-(pyridyl)methanols

The reaction of o-carboranyllithium with two equiv. of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde affords 1-[(hydroxy)(pyridyl)methyl]-o-carborane (1) and 1,2-bis[(hydroxy)(pyridyl)methyl]-o-carborane (2), which have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 exhibits interesting polymorphism (monoclinic 2a and triclinic 2b). The solid state structures of the new carboranes feature intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions involving all the N and O atoms, leading to one dimensional (1, 2b) or two-dimensional (2a) supramolecular structures. The photoluminescence of 1 and 2b was investigated in the solid and solution states at room temperature, respectively.

► Two novel carboranylalcohols were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized.
► Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1 and two polymorphs of 2 have been determined.
► Supramolecular structures are formed by inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
► Photoluminescence of these species was studied in the solid and solution states.