Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. A synthetic approach via the auto-fusion of [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H12].

In an attempt to build up borane-based multicluster assemblies, thermolysis of [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H12] 1 in inert hydrocarbon solution, followed by chromatographic separation, has resulted in the isolation not only of the previously established single-cluster product from this reaction, [5-(SMe2)-nido-B10H12] 2 (30%), but also the two two-cluster species [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H11-1-(6-nido-B10H13)] 3 (20%) and [1,6-(nido-B10H13)2] 6 (ca. 0.5%) and the two three-cluster species [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H10-1,5-(6-nido-B10H13)2] 4 (5%), characterized crystallographically, and [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H10-1,3-(6-nido-B10H13)2] 5 (<1%), identified by NMR spectroscopy. An improved crystallographic investigation of [5-(SMe2)-nido-B10H12] 2 is also presented. The feasibility of the stability of species resulting from multiple adjacent substitution of nido-decaboranyl units on the [6,9-(SMe2)2-arachno-B10H12] skeleton is tested by DFT calculations. In an extension, to attempt the use of pre--linked two-cluster compounds as starting substrates, two-cluster [5-(SMe2)-4-(2-nido-B10H13)-nido-B10H11] 7 (0.6%) has been isolated from the reaction of SMe2 with [1,5-(nido-B10H13)2], other identified products being compound 1 (39%) and compound 3 (10.5%).

Synthesis of (aminoalkylamine)-N-aminoalkyl)azanonaborane(11) derivatives for boron neutron capture therapy.

New boron-containing polyamine have been synthesized: (aminoalkylamine)-N-(aminoalkyl)azanonaborane(11) derivatives [H(2)N(CH(2))(n)H(2)NB(8)H(11)NH(CH(2))(n)NH(2)], where n = 4-6 and 12, and [H(2)N(CH(2))(3)H(2)NB(8)H(11)NH(CH(2))(4)NH(2)]. (4-Aminobutylamine)-N-(4-aminobutyl)azanonaborane and (3-aminopropylamine)-N-(4-aminobutyl)azanonaborane were less toxic in vitro (LD(50) of approximately 700 and approximately 1100 microM, respectively) than spermine, while (4-aminobutylamine)-N-isopropylazanonaborane with its hydrophobic isopropyl group and those with n = 5, 6, and 12 were already toxic under similar conditions (LD(50) << 500 microM). These compounds may be useful as delivery agents for boron neutron capture therapy.

Azanonaboranes [(RNH(2))B(8)H(11)NHR] as possible new compounds for use in boron neutron capture therapy.

The synthesis and biological in vitro and in vivo activities of possible new compounds for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) are reported. The azanonaboranes of the type [(RNH(2))B(8)H(11)NHR] are water-soluble when hydrophilic groups are introduced. The reaction of B(9)H(13)SMe(2) with primary amines yields azanonaboranes. Five compounds with different numbers of hydroxypropyl groups have been isolated: [(HO(CH(2))(3)NH(2))B(8)H(11)NHCH(3)] (4), [(HO(CH(2))(3)NH(2))B(8)H(11)NH(CH(2))(3)OH] (2), [((HO(CH(2))(3))(2)NH)B(8)H(11)NHCH(3)] (6), [((HO(CH(2))(3))(2)NH)B(8)H(11)NH(CH(2))(3)OCH(3)] (11) and [((HO(CH(2))(3))(2)NH)B(8)H(11)NH(CH(2))(3)OH] (8). In vitro experiments as judged by cloning survival tests showed that two of the synthesised compounds are not toxic. The in vivo experiments were carried out with C3H/He mice bearing SCCVII tumours and C57 mice bearing B16 tumours. Compounds 2 and 6 have no particular affinity to any tissue, but are excluded from the brain.