Synthesis of [Li(THF)4]2[Th(η5-C2B9H11)2X2] (X = Cl, Br, I):  The First Dicarbollide Complexes of Thorium

The first thorium complexes incorporating dicarbollide ligands, [Li(THF)4]2[Th(η5-C2B9H11)2X2] (X = Cl, Br, I) and [Li(THF)4][Th(η5-C2B9H11)Br3(THF)], have been prepared and characterized by a combination of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The molecular structure of the dibromo derivative has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Li(THF)4]2[Th(η5-C2B9H11)2Br2] is monoclinic, Cc (No. 9), a = 26.303 (2) Å, b = 11.143 (2) Å, c = 20.054 (2) Å, β = 103.263 (7)°, Z = 4.