Diboranes

Diboranes are a class of inorganic compounds that contain boron and hydrogen atoms. They have the general formula B2Hn, where n can range from 6 to 10 or more in certain complex molecules. The simplest member of the series is diborane itself, B2H6. This molecule has a tetrahedral structure with two boron atoms at the apexes and six hydrogen atoms at the corners of a three-dimensional network.

The structure of diborane consists of a square pyramidal arrangement of four hydrogen atoms around each boron atom, with the two boron atoms connected by a short, low-energy B—BH3 partial bond. Each boron atom also has two additional hydrogen atoms bonded to it, which are more distant and higher in energy, often referred to as the "2-center-2-electron 4e, 3c" bond. This unique bonding arrangement is shared among the various diborane family members, adapting to the increasing number of hydrogen atoms in each molecule.

Diboranes are often synthesized through various methods, including the reaction of boron hydrides with halogens or vacuum distillation from the synthesis of certain boron-hydrogen compounds. They have interesting physical and chemical properties, such as dissolving easily in non-polar solvents and reacting with metals to form crystalline or amorphous borides.

Research on diboranes is significant in the field of inorganic chemistry due to their synthetic value and the insights they provide into boron chemistry.