Describe the differences between carboranes and boranes.

Carboranes are clusters of carbon, boron, and hydrogen atoms, while boranes are clusters of boron and hydrogen atoms.

Carboranes and boranes are both types of cluster compounds, which are molecules made up of several atoms or ions. However, carboranes contain both carbon and boron atoms, while boranes only contain boron and hydrogen atoms. Carboranes are often described as "closo" or "nido" depending on the number of vertices in the cluster, while boranes are typically classified as "closo," "nido," or "arachno" based on their shape.

One of the main differences between carboranes and boranes is their stability. Carboranes are generally more stable than boranes due to the presence of carbon atoms, which provide additional bonding sites and help to stabilize the cluster. Boranes, on the other hand, are often highly reactive and can easily decompose or react with other molecules.

Another difference between carboranes and boranes is their physical and chemical properties. Carboranes are typically more soluble in organic solvents and less reactive towards acids and bases than boranes. They also have higher melting and boiling points and are more resistant to oxidation. Boranes, on the other hand, are often highly reactive and can be used as reducing agents or catalysts in chemical reactions.

Overall, carboranes and boranes are both important types of cluster compounds with unique properties and applications in chemistry and materials science.