The synthesis and structural analysis of two novel families of three-component reversible redoxcycles [(C
2B
9H
11)M(
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
-SPh)
2]
2nPPN
n (M = Mo,
n = 2-,
2; 1-,
3; 0,
4; and M = W,
n = 2-,
6; 1-,
7; 0,
8),where the cleavage and re-formation of the carborane cage C-C bond is observed during the redox reaction,are reported. Electronic saturation of the metal center (18e center) and the lack of bulky substituents on thecarborane cage suggest that the deformed carborane cages in
2·PPN
2,
6·PPN
2, and
7·PPN invoke a new kindof deformed cage ("semicloso" framework). The XPS results show that the unprecedented competition forelectron density between the metal center and the carborane cage is involved in the cleavage and formation ofthe carborane C-C bond.