Facile Synthesis of N-Carboranyl Amines through an ortho-Carboryne Intermediate

The efficient o-carboryne precursor 1-Li-2-OTf-o-C2B10H10 reacts with lithium amides at room temperature to give a series of N-carboranyl amines in moderate to high isolated yields. This reaction is compatible with a broad substrate scope from primary to secondary, alkyl to aryl amines. The reaction mechanism is also proposed on the basis of experimental results and DFT calculations. This represents the first general and efficient method for the synthesis of 1-(NRR2)-R-1-o-carboranes.