Tridecahydrononaborate(2-) an arachno-[BnHn+4]2- dianion: synthesis, characterization, and molecular structure

The arachno-[B 9 H 13 ] 2- dianion has been synthesized as the K 2 [B 9 H 13 ] and Na 2 [B 9 H 13 ] salts through deprotonation of K[B 9 H 14 ] by KH in glyme and through deprotonation of Na[B 9 H 14 ] by NaNH 2 in liquid ammonia. Due to explosions that occurred during the preparation and handling of both Na 2 [B 9 H 13 ] and Na[B 9 H 14 ], studies of Na 2 [B 9 H 13 ] were terminated. The potassium salt is insoluble in ether solvents but is soluble in liquid ammonia