Substituent effect on the carborane coupling reaction: synthesis and crystal structure of 1-phenyl-2-[2,3-benzobicyclo(3,3,0)-1-oxo-4-oxa-7-aza-8-yl]-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)

The reaction between the lithium salt of [closo-1-(C6H5)-1,2-C2B10H10]− anion and N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide in anhydrous toluene did not result in the expected coupling product, but rather produced an unprecedented carborane species, 1-phenyl-2-[2,3-benzobicyclo(3,3,0)-1-oxo-4-oxa-7-aza-8-yl]-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (3), in 63% yield.