Purely inorganic carboranyl phosphinates were prepared, and the influence of the cluster on the reactivity of the phosphinate group was studied. Electron-withdrawal by the carboranyl carbon atoms, combined with space-filling efficiency and enhanced aromaticity of the cluster cage, renders the phosphorus more difficult to oxidize. This enables carboranyl phosphinates to survive harsh oxidizing conditions, a property which is uncommon in organic phosphinates.