Toxicologic and pharmacologic properties of the dodecaborate cluster: Synthetic, physical-chemical and biological studies

Different dodecaborate cluster containing substances are studied: low molecular weight anions used in ionic liquids and high molecular weight boron lipids which are interesting for boron neutron capture therapy. The dodecaborate cluster unit B12H122- exhibits properties of a pharmacophor and consequently causes certain pharmacological interactions. It is responsible for a firm binding to membrane surfaces due to interactions with the head groups of phosphatidylcholine lipids. Compounds containing the dodecaborate cluster adopt this unexpected behavior which is not known for other ionic species.Amphiphilic derivatives of the dodecaborate cluster cause a different pharmacologic effect than pure ionic substances. Depending on their lipophilic part they can react as detergent or can incorporate into existing membranes without any disturbances of the membrane. High molecular weight compounds induce pharmacological effects which are unexpected and so far not understood in molecular detail.