Formation of carboranes by pyrolysis of trimethylborane

Pyrolysis of trimethylborane at 475–520 °C yields Me2BCH2BMe2 and the carboranes C2H2(BMe)3 and C4H4(BMe)6; mass spectral evidence suggests also the formation of (MeBCH2)3 and (MeBCH2)4 and other less-volatile carboranes.