Editing Decaborane (section)

==Synthesis and reactions==
It is commonly synthesized via the [[pyrolysis]] of smaller boron hydride [[Atom cluster|clusters]]. For example, pyrolysis of [[diborane|B<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>]] or [[Pentaborane(9)|B<sub>5</sub>H<sub>9</sub>]] gives decaborane, with loss of H<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{Greenwood&Earnshaw}}</ref>  On a laboratory scale, sodium borohydride is treated with boron trifluoride to give NaB<sub>11</sub>H<sub>14</sub>, which is acidified to release borane and hydrogen gas.<ref name=IS>Gary B. Dunks, Kathy Palmer-Ordonez, Eddie Hedaya "Decaborane(14)" Inorg. Synth. 1983, vol. 22, pp. 202–207.  {{doi|10.1002/9780470132531.ch46}}</ref>

It reacts with Lewis bases (L) such as [[acetonitrile|CH<sub>3</sub>CN]] and [[diethyl sulfide|Et<sub>2</sub>S]], to form adducts:<ref name=LJT>{{cite book|title=Inorganic Syntheses|author=Charles R. Kutal |author2=David A. Owen |author3=Lee J. Todd |chapter=''closo'' -1,2-Dicarbadodecaborane(12): &#91; ''1,2-Dicarbaclovododecaborane(12'' )&#93; |year=1968 |volume=11|pages=19–24|doi=10.1002/9780470132425.ch5|isbn=978-0-470-13170-1 }}</ref><ref name=MFH>{{cite book|chapter=Icosahedral Carboranes and Intermediates Leading to the Preparation of Carbametallic Boron Hydride Derivatives |author=M. Frederick Hawthorne |author2=Timothy D. Andrews |author3=Philip M. Garrett |author4=Fred P. Olsen |author5=Marten Reintjes |author6=Fred N. Tebbe |author7=Les F. Warren |author8=Patrick A. Wegner |author9=Donald C. Young |title=Inorganic Syntheses|year=1967 |volume=10|pages=91–118|doi=10.1002/9780470132418.ch17|isbn=978-0-470-13241-8}}</ref>
:B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>14</sub> + 2 L → B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>12</sub>L<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>

These species, which are classified as "arachno" clusters, in turn react with [[acetylene]] to give the "closo" [[ortho-carborane]]:
:B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>12</sub>·2L + C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub> → C<sub>2</sub>B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>12</sub> + 2 L + H<sub>2</sub>

Decaborane(14) is a weak [[Brønsted acid]]. Monodeprotonation generates the [[anion]] [B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>13</sub>]<sup>−</sup>, with again a nido structure.

In the [[Brellochs reaction]], decaborane is converted to arachno-CB<sub>9</sub>H<sub>14</sub><sup>−</sup>:
:B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>14</sub> +  CH<sub>2</sub>O  + 2 OH<sup>−</sup>  +  H<sub>2</sub>O  →  CB<sub>9</sub>H<sub>14</sub><sup>−</sup>  +  B(OH)<sub>4</sub><sup>−</sup>  +  H<sub>2</sub>