closo-Dodecaborate Intercalated Yttrium Hydroxide as a First Example of Boron Cluster Anion-Containing Layered Inorganic Substances

The first member, Y 2 (OH) 5.46 (B 12 H 12 ) 0.23 Cl 0.08 ·4.98H 2 O, of a new family of boron-containing substances, closo -dodecaborate intercalated layered rare-earth hydroxides, was synthesized using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The structure and composition of this compound were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The title compound had the composition Y 2 (OH) 5.46 (B 12 H 12 ) 0.23 Cl 0.08 ·4.98H 2 O and crystallized in a form of plate-like, aggregated particles less than 10 nm thick. The coordination of closo -dodecaborate anions with yttrium hydroxide host layers was demonstrated.