Hexaborane(12)

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
CAS Number	12008-19-4[1]
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/B6H12/c7-1-3-4(5(1,3,7)10-4)2-6(3,4,8-2)9-3/h3-6H,1-2H2 Key: ZMLJCODVOXNMHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [BH2]12[BH]34([H]1)[BH]256[BH]38([H]4)[BH]75([H]6)[BH2]8[H]7
Properties
Chemical formula	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). Infobox references

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

It is typically prepared by the cluster expansion method from B₅H⁻
₈, the conjugate base of pentaborane(9):^[2]

LiB₅H₈ + 1/2 B₂H₆ → LiB₆H₁₁

LiB₆H₁₁ + HCl → B₆H₁₂ + LiCl