Brellochs reaction

In organoboron chemistry, the Brellochs reaction provides a way to generate the monocarboranes. The Brellochs method uses formaldehyde to insert single carbon atoms into boron hydrides.

Illustrative is the synthesis of CB₉H₁₄^− from commercially available decaborane.

Oxidation of the arachno anion gives nido-6-CB₉H₁₂^−. Base degradation of the latter gives arachno-4-CB₈H₁₄.

References