decaborane

Decaborane, also known by its chemical formula B10H14, is a boron-hydride compound composed of ten boron atoms and fourteen hydrogen atoms. It belongs to the class of boron hydrides, which are characterized by their cluster structures and high boron content. Decaborane is typically obtained through the thermal decomposition of higher boron hydrides or via chemical reactions involving boron and hydrogen sources.

This compound is a colorless, volatile, and highly reactive solid at room temperature. It has a distinctive pungent odor and is soluble in organic solvents such as benzene and toluene. Due to its chemical reactivity and volatility, decaborane is predominantly used in scientific research and industrial applications related to boron chemistry.

Decaborane is notable for its application as a precursor in the synthesis of boron-containing materials and as a reagent in organic synthesis to introduce boron groups into molecules. It has also been investigated for potential uses in high-energy fuels and explosives, owing to its high boron content and energetic properties. Additionally, decaborane has historically served in nuclear technology as a neutron moderator or shielding material, although its use in this context has been largely limited due to safety concerns.

Handling decaborane requires strict safety precautions because of its toxicity, volatility, and pyrophoric nature when exposed to air. Its chemical properties, combined with its high boron content, make it an important compound within boron chemistry, serving as a fundamental building block for various scientific and technological developments.

Because of its hazardous nature, research and usage are carefully controlled, with proper safety measures mandated in laboratory settings.