Hydrolysis of nitrilium derivatives of the closo-decaborate anion [2-B10H9(N≡CR)]– (R = CH3, C2H5, C(CH3)3, or C6H5)

Reaction of tetrabutylammonium salts of [2-B 10 H 9 (N≡CR)] – (R = CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , C(CH 3 ) 3 , or C 6 H 5 ) anions with water results in N -borylated iminols (Bu 4 N)[2-B 10 H 9 NH=C(OH)R], and in the presence of an alkali, corresponding N -substituted amides (Bu 4 N) 2 [2-B 10 H 9 NH-C(=O)R] are formed. The compounds obtained are identified by IR, ESI/MS, and 1 H, 11 B, and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of compound (Bu 4 N)[2-B 10 H 9 ( Z -{NHC(OH)C 2 H 5 })] is studied by X-ray diffraction.