B10C2H12

B10C2H12 is the chemical formula for ortho-carborane, a neutral boron–carbon–hydrogen cluster with the formula C2B10H12. It is one of the carborane isomers and has two adjacent carbon atoms within a closo-dodecaborane framework. Its systematic IUPAC name is 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane.

The molecule adopts a highly symmetric cage structure in which two boron atoms are replaced by carbon at adjacent positions. This 12-vertex closo cage yields a compact, thermally and chemically stable cluster with a molecular weight of about 144.2 g/mol. Ortho-carborane is typically a colorless crystalline solid that is insoluble in water but dissolves in certain organic solvents. Carboranes are renowned for their robustness, and ortho-carborane exemplifies this stability, though the cage can be opened or modified under strong oxidative or nucleophilic conditions.

Reactivity is generally governed by the inert cage, with transformations often involving substitution at boron vertices or functionalization of the C–H bonds to give carboranyl derivatives. Ortho-carborane serves as a versatile scaffold in organometallic chemistry, where carboranyl ligands stabilize metal complexes and enable a range of catalytic and materials applications. In broader contexts, carborane derivatives have been explored as boron delivery agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and as bulky, hydrophobic platforms in medicinal chemistry and advanced materials.

Safety considerations are similar to those for many boron-containing compounds: handle with standard laboratory precautions, as they can pose inhalation or ingestion risks if mishandled. Ortho-carborane is generally of low-to-moderate toxicity but should be used with appropriate protective equipment and proper storage.