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 some other boron hydride clusters, is readily hydrolyzed and flammable.

Hexaborane(12)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • InChI=1S/B6H16/c1-2-5(1)6-3-4-6/h5-6H2,1-4H3
    Key: QXTIDELWZZSOOU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [BH3]1[BH3][BH2]1[BH2]2[BH3][BH3]2
Properties
B6H12
Molar mass 76.96 g·mol−1
Appearance colorless liquid
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).

The molecular structure conforms to C2 symmetry group. With the formula BnHn+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

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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

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