The synthesis and X-ray crystallographic structure determination of 3-isocyano-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-Re(I) complexes

3-Isocyano-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane, otherwise referred to as 3-isonitrilecarborane (L), reacts with [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] and [Re(CO)3(solv.)3]+ in a manner similar to that of aliphatic isonitriles resulting in the formation of compounds of the general formulae [Re(CO)3L2Br], [Re(CO)3L3]+ and [Re(CO)3L2L′], where L′ denotes a nido-carborane isonitrile ligand. The latter compound, whose structure was determined crystallographically, has an overall neutral charge as a result of a deboronation reaction which takes place upon recrystalization of the complex. We also observed that the ligand L has the ability to displace CO ligands from [Re(CO)3(solv.)3]+, which led to the formation of [Re(CO)2L4]+.