carboranebased

Carborane-based refers to compounds, materials, and architectures that incorporate carborane clusters as integral building blocks. Carboranes are boron-hydrogen clusters that contain carbon atoms within a three-dimensional icosahedral framework, typically represented by closo-C2B10H12 for a standard carborane. They exhibit high thermal and chemical stability and feature a delocalized three-dimensional electronic structure, which makes them unusually robust for diverse chemical environments. Substitution on the carbon vertices or on boron sites allows a wide range of derivatives with tailored properties.

The carborane family includes ortho-, meta-, and para-carborane, named for the relative positions of the two carbon atoms in the cage. This structural variation influences properties such as reactivity, lipophilicity, and how the cluster can be appended to other molecules or materials. Functionalization strategies enable attachment to organic ligands, polymers, biomolecules, or metal centers, expanding the utility of carborane frameworks in multiple disciplines.

Key properties driving interest include a high boron content, chemical inertness, and the ability to withstand harsh conditions, all of which enable use in demanding applications. However, many carboranes are hydrophobic and poorly water-soluble, prompting development of hydrophilic substituents or conjugates for biological or aqueous applications.

Applications span medicine, materials science, and catalysis. In medicine, carborane-containing compounds are explored for boron neutron capture therapy and imaging or drug delivery. In materials science, carborane-based polymers, ceramics, and coatings offer high thermal stability and resistance to chemicals. In organometallic chemistry, carborane ligands support catalysts and enable unique electronic environments for reactions.