"Dumbbell"- and "Clackers"-Shaped Dimeric Derivatives of Monocarba-closo-dodecaborate.

We designed, synthesized, and characterized two types of dimeric forms of monocarba-closo-dodecaborate, namely, a "dumbbell"-shaped dianion having a C-C bond and a "clackers"-shaped monoanion having an iodonium linker. The unique architectures of these anionic molecules were established by X-ray analysis. Spectroscopic analysis, DFT calculations, and reactivity experiments revealed high anionic and chemical stability of both anions, which are crucial properties for weakly coordinating anions.