An addition to the oxoacid family: H2B12(OH)12.

The acid H(2)B(12)(OH)(12) can be isolated as a crystalline solid by protonation of the hydroxylated borane anion, B(12)(OH)(12)(2)(-). This acidic compound has low solubility in water, conducts protons in the solid state, and has thermal stability to a temperature of 400 degrees C. The conductivity mechanism is a Grotthuss mechanism with a low activation enthalpy (9-13 kcal/mol). This new acid represents an addition to the class of oxoacids, of which sulfuric and phosphoric acid are the most prominent examples.

Mixed halo/hydroxy-carborane anions: thermally stable platforms for hydronium ion isolation.

Hydroxylation of the robust, weakly coordinating hexahalo-carborane anion system, CB(11)H(6)Br(6)(-1), produces a new class of anion with mixed halo/hydroxyl substituents, HCB(11)(OH)(5)Br(6)(-1) which can be used to isolate a number of hydronium cation salts including an 'ice tautomer' composed of hydronium cation, anion hydroxyl groups and coordinated water molecules.