9,9'-Bis- o -carboranes: synthesis and exploration of properties.

A highly efficient Pd-catalyzed B(9)-H/B(9)-H oxidative dehydrogenation coupling of carboranes to synthesize 9,9'-bis- o -carboranes has been developed. The properties and derivatization of 9,9'-bis- o -carborane were also examined, which provided diverse bis- o -carborane derivatives and bis- nido -carborane.