Here, we present composites and materials that can be prepared starting with boron hydride cluster compounds (decaborane, decahydro-closo-decaborate and dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate anions and carboranes). Recent examples of their utilization as boron protective coatings including using them to synthesize boron carbide, boron nitride, metal borides, metal-containing composites, and neutron shielding materials are discussed. The data are generalized demonstrate the versatile application of materials based on boron cluster anions and carboranes in various fields.