A Cage Molecule with a Cubanoid P4B4 Framework: tBu4P4Ph4B4O12—A Structural Analogue of the Isovalence Electronic Organosilasesquioxanes R8Si8O12

Molecules that behave like large atoms!—molecules of the mixed anhydride formed from the acids tBuP(O)(OH)2 and PhB(OH)2 exhibit this characteristic since in the crystal lattice they occupy the corners and centers of weakly distorted cubooctahedra. The molecules reveal a cubane framework (depicted on the right), whose corners are occupied alternately by phosphorus and boron atoms and whose edges are bridged by oxygen atoms.