Negatively charged metallacarborane redox couples with both members stable to air

Abstract

It was possible to synthesize and isolate redox couples in which both partners are negatively charged. The handy framework is [3,3'-Co(1,2-closo-C2B9H11)2]-. The E½ potential can be tuned by adjusting the nature and number of substituents on B and C. The octaiodinated species [3,3'-Co(1,2-closo-C2B9H7I4)2]- is the most favorable as it is isolatable and stable in air.