Versatile, one-pot introduction of nonahalogenated 2-ammonio-decaborate ions as boron cluster scaffolds into organic molecules; host-guest complexation with γ-cyclodextrin.

We report the modification of the 2-ammonio group at halogenated decaborate ions with 2,3-epoxypropane, the product of which reacts readily with nucleophiles to form previously inaccessible coupling of polyhedra with organic molecules and materials. We demonstrate that these ions present a good binding motif in supramolecular chemistry.

High-Affinity Binding of Metallacarborane Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide) Anions to Cyclodextrins and Application to Membrane Translocation.

Metallacarboranes are a class of inorganic boron clusters that have recently been recognized as biologically active compounds. Herein, we report on the host-guest complexation of several cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide) anions (COSANs) with cyclodextrins (CDs) in aqueous solution. The binding affinities reach micromolar values, which are among the highest known values for native CDs, and exceed those for neutral hydrophobic organic guest molecules.