Question
Explain structure and bonding in a decaborane 14
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Decaborane (or decaborane-14) is a polyhedral boron hydride with the chemical formula B₁₀H₁₄. It is notable in the realm of boron chemistry for its intriguing structure and bonding characteristics. Here's a breakdown of its structure and bonding:
### Structure:
1. **Dimensional Shape**: Decaborane has a unique three-dimensional structure that resembles a bifunctional cluster formed by two interconnected icosahedra. It consists of a triple-decker framework composed of 10 boron atoms.
2. **Framework**: The boron atoms are arranged in two overlapping icosahedra, and it can be visualized as having a central boron atom with the outer boron atoms forming a polyhedral arrangement.
3. **Hydrogen atoms**: There are 14 hydrogen atoms, which are arranged such that they provide stability and saturation to the boron framework. The geometry around each boron atom may vary, but the general cage-like structure is preserved.
### Bonding:
1. **Boron-Boron Bonds**: The bonding in decaborane is characteristic of boron compounds, in which boron atoms can form multicenter bonds. Specifically, decaborane employs three-center two-electron bonds (3c-2e bonds). These bonds are shared between three boron atoms, which contributes to the stability and unique bonding arrangement.
2. **Hydrogen Bonds**: The hydrogen atoms bond to the boron atoms in an arrangement that helps saturate the boron framework. The bonding involves conventional two-center two-electron (2c-2e) bonds, helping to maintain the molecular stability and fill the valences of the boron atoms.
3. **Electron Deficiency**: Boron compounds, including decaborane, are often electron-deficient due to boron's tendency to form coordinate bonds. The incorporation of hydrogen helps to alleviate some of this deficiency and allows the molecule to maintain its structural integrity.
4. **Delocalization and Resonance**: The structure of decaborane allows for some degree of electron delocalization across the boron framework. This delocalization is important for its stability and underpinning the bonding interactions within the molecule.
### Summary
In summary, decaborane-14 is a fascinating molecule characterized by a three-dimensional cage-like structure formed by interconnected boron atoms. Its stability arises from the unique bonding interactions that include multicenter bonds among boron atoms, as well as conventional bonds with hydrogen. The interplay of structural arrangement and bonding types serves as a hallmark of boron-containing architectures, showcasing the complexity of boron chemistry.
### Structure:
1. **Dimensional Shape**: Decaborane has a unique three-dimensional structure that resembles a bifunctional cluster formed by two interconnected icosahedra. It consists of a triple-decker framework composed of 10 boron atoms.
2. **Framework**: The boron atoms are arranged in two overlapping icosahedra, and it can be visualized as having a central boron atom with the outer boron atoms forming a polyhedral arrangement.
3. **Hydrogen atoms**: There are 14 hydrogen atoms, which are arranged such that they provide stability and saturation to the boron framework. The geometry around each boron atom may vary, but the general cage-like structure is preserved.
### Bonding:
1. **Boron-Boron Bonds**: The bonding in decaborane is characteristic of boron compounds, in which boron atoms can form multicenter bonds. Specifically, decaborane employs three-center two-electron bonds (3c-2e bonds). These bonds are shared between three boron atoms, which contributes to the stability and unique bonding arrangement.
2. **Hydrogen Bonds**: The hydrogen atoms bond to the boron atoms in an arrangement that helps saturate the boron framework. The bonding involves conventional two-center two-electron (2c-2e) bonds, helping to maintain the molecular stability and fill the valences of the boron atoms.
3. **Electron Deficiency**: Boron compounds, including decaborane, are often electron-deficient due to boron's tendency to form coordinate bonds. The incorporation of hydrogen helps to alleviate some of this deficiency and allows the molecule to maintain its structural integrity.
4. **Delocalization and Resonance**: The structure of decaborane allows for some degree of electron delocalization across the boron framework. This delocalization is important for its stability and underpinning the bonding interactions within the molecule.
### Summary
In summary, decaborane-14 is a fascinating molecule characterized by a three-dimensional cage-like structure formed by interconnected boron atoms. Its stability arises from the unique bonding interactions that include multicenter bonds among boron atoms, as well as conventional bonds with hydrogen. The interplay of structural arrangement and bonding types serves as a hallmark of boron-containing architectures, showcasing the complexity of boron chemistry.