Palladium-CatalyzedSelective B(3)-Esterificationof <i>o</i>‑Carboranes with CO and Alcohols

Selective functionalization of <i>o</i>-carboranes has received tremendous attention, specifically in the regioselective modification of the ten chemically similar BH vertices within <i>o</i>-carborane cage. We disclose herein a strategy for palladium-catalyzed esterification of the B(3)–H bond in <i>o</i>-carboranes using tungsten hexacarbonyl as a carbon monoxide source. The corresponding functionalized <i>o</i>-carboranes were prepared in moderate to very good yields with excellent regioselectivity.