Decaborane

Decaborane

Names
Other names decaborane decaboron tetradecahydride
Identifiers
CAS Number	17702-41-9 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21241886 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.037.904
EC Number	241-711-8
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
Molar mass	122.22 g/mol
Appearance	White crystals
Odor	bitter, chocolate-like
Density	0.94 g/cm3
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
Hazards
Main hazards	may ignite spontaneously on exposure to air
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)
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.3 mg/m3 (0.05 ppm) [skin]
REL (Recommended)	TWA 0.3 mg/m3 (0.05 ppm) ST 0.9 mg/m3 (0.15 ppm) [skin]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	15 mg/m3
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y  (what is YN ?)
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 chocolate-like odor.

B₁₀H₁₄ possesses a strong characteristic odor, sometimes described as musty or intensely bitter, chocolate-like that is unique to boranes. The physical characteristics of decaborane(14) resemble those of the organic compounds, such as naphthalene and anthracene, in that it can be sublimed under vacuum at moderate temperatures. Sublimation is the common method of purification. Like organic compounds, 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.

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".

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

It reacts with Lewis bases (L) such as CH₃CN and Me₂S, to form derivatives with the formula B₁₀H₁₂·2L.