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-B10H9(N≡CR)]– (R = CH3, C2H5, C(CH3)3, or C6H5) anions with water results in N-borylated iminols (Bu4N)[2-B10H9NH=C(OH)R], and in the presence of an alkali, corresponding N-substituted amides (Bu4N)2[2-B10H9NH-C(=O)R] are formed. The compounds obtained are identified by IR, ESI/MS, and 1H, 11B, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of compound (Bu4N)[2-B10H9(Z-{NHC(OH)C2H5})] is studied by X-ray diffraction.