Polymers and ceramics based on icosahedral carboranes. Model studies of the formation and hydrolytic stability of aryl ether, ketone, amide and borane linkages between carborane units

The synthesis and hydrolysis to free carborane and a carboxylate under alkaline but not neutral condition of five 1,2-and 1,7-carboranyl ketones is described. The synthesis of four model boranes is also described. Formation of free carboranes and B-hydroxy compounds is consistent with a mechanism analogous to hydrolysis of the corresponding ketones. The most promising polymer structures are inferred from the hydrolytic experiments. 33 refs.