Hexaborane(12)

Hexaborane(12) is an inorganic compound with the formula B₆H₁₂. It is an obscure member of the boranes. It is a colorless liquid that, like most boron hydrides, is readily hydrolyzed and flammable.

Hexaborane(12)

Identifiers
CAS Number	12008-19-4
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/B6H16/c1-2-5(1)6-3-4-6/h5-6H2,1-4H3 Key: QXTIDELWZZSOOU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [BH3]1[BH3][BH2]1[BH2]2[BH3][BH3]2
Properties
Chemical formula	B6H12
Molar mass	76.96 g·mol^−1
Appearance	colorless gas
Melting point	−82.3 °C (−116.1 °F; 190.8 K)
Boiling point	85 °C (185 °F; 358 K) (approx)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

The molecular structure conforms to C₂ symmetry group. With the formula B_nH_n+6, it is classified as an arachno cluster. As such the boron positions match six of the boron positions in the closo-B₈H²⁻
₈.

Preparation

It is typically prepared by the cluster expansion method from B₅H⁻
₈, the conjugate base of pentaborane-9:[1]

LiB₅H₈ + 1/2 B₂H₆ → LiB₆H₁₁

LiB₆H₁₁ + HCl → B₆H₁₂ + LiCl

References

1. Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8. p.172.