3506
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE EDITOR
A New Boron Hydride, B20H16
Sir : We wish to report the synthesis and characterization of a new boron hydride, Bz0Hl6,which is the first example of a volatile borane that has fewer hydrogen than boron atoms.' Preparation was effected by catalytic pyrolysis of decaborane-14 a t 350' ( < 1 mm.). U'ith methylaminodimethylboraiie as the catalyst, yields of &OH16 averaged about 10%. The product was purified by repeated vacuum sublimation. T h e new hydride is a white, hygroscopic crystalline solid that melts a t 196-199'. sublimes a t 100-12O0 (
