THE CIS-INSERTION OF DIPHENYLACETYLENE INTO AN EXO-POLYHEDRAL BORON-HYDROGEN BOND OF A MOLYBDENACARBABORANE CAGE

The eta(2)(4e)-alkyne bis(trimethylphosphite) substituted complexes [c loso-3-(eta(2)-alkyne)-3,3-{P(OMe)(3)}(2) 31,2-MoC2B9H11] react with a lkynes to form either monophosphite bis(alkyne) or mixed alkyne comple xes ne)(eta(2)-alkyne)-3-{P(OMe)(3)}-3,1,2-MoC2B9H11]; however, an att empt to extend the reaction to the bis(diphenylacetylene) system resul ted in a novel cis-insertion of the alkyne into an exe-polyhedral B-H bond, which is explained by a bimetallic reaction pathway.