METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF SOLVENT-FREE LITHIUM BORON CLUSTER BASED SALTS

An effectively solvent-free alkali metal or alkali earth metal closo-borate salt is prepared in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent where the solvent can be removed to levels below one mole percent of the salt. The process involves the exchange of cations with a closo-borate anion via an acid-base process or a metathesis process. The solvent is removed from the alkali metal or alkali earth metal closo-borate salt by heating. The temperature can be greater than the melting point of the salt but lower than temperatures where decomposition occurs.