Cobalt-Promoted B–H and C–H Activation: Facile B–C Coupling of Carboranedithiolate and Cyclopentadienyl

We report the one-pot reactions of the 16e– half-sandwich complex CpCoS2C2B10H10 (1), methyl propiolate, and 3e–-donor ligands, which lead to selective B-functionalization at carborane with cyclopentadienyl as a functional group at ambient temperature in good yields. Metal-promoted activations of both a B–H bond of the carborane and a C–H bond of the Cp unit take place sequentially in the cooperation of organic ligands. The reaction requires a 3e–-donor ligand and an activated alkyne and is therefore suitable for a broad range of substrates. This investigation provides a simple and efficient synthetic route to B-functionalized carborane derivatives.