THE THF-9-SODIOOXY-9-BORABICYCLO[3.3.1]NO NANE TETRAMER

The thermolysis of Na[C8H14B(Et)OH] (2), prepared from 9-Et-9-BBN (1) and NaOH, leads at about 100 degrees C in the presence of NaHBEt(3) as catalyst to ethane and the solid NaOBC8H14 (3), which crystallizes wi th one mole THF as the tetrameric heterocubane 4 in the triclinic spac e group P ($) over bar 1. The lattice constants of 4 (at 120 K) are: a =1127.7(2), b=1179.5(2), c=2055.9(4) pm; alpha=87.06(2), beta=87.83(2) , gamma=75.37(2)degrees. 4 contains a slightly distorted central Na4O4 cube with C8H14B and THF substituents at the oxygen and the sodium at oms respectively. 3 can also be prepared by heating an equimolar mixtu re of Na[H2BC8H14] (5) and Na[(HO)(2)BC8H14] (6), or from (9H-9-BBN)(2 ) and NaOH and from 9-HO-9-BBN and NaH in THF.