Low-Valent Group 14 NHC-Stabilized Phosphinidenide ate Complexes and NHC-Stabilized K/P-Clusters

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized phosphinidenide, SIMesPK [SIMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolidine-2-ylidene], was used as an (NHC)P-transfer reagent for the synthesis of the low-valent Group 14 ate complexes K[(SIMesP)₃E] (E=Ge: 2 , Sn: 3 , Pb: 4 ), which were characterized by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, IR spectroscopy as well as elemental and X-ray analysis. Furthermore, SIMesPK was used in reactions with potassium amides and alkoxides to form the molecular phosphorus–potassium clusters [K₄(SIMesP)₂(hmds)₂] [ 5 , hmds=N(SiMe₃)₂] and [K₆(SIMesP)₂(OtBu)₄] ( 6 ). Finally, the reaction of SIMesPK with Li[Al(OC₄F₉)₄] led to the potassium-rich ionic compound [(SIMesP)₄K₅][Al(OC₄F₉)₄] ( 7 ).     

Synthesis of phosphorus ylides bearing a P-H bond from a kinetically stabilized 1,3,6-triphosphafulvene

In mixing 2,4,6-tris(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,6-triphosphafulvene with alkyllithium compounds and acetic acid, both of nucleophilic alkylation and electrophilic protonation occurred at the exo sp2-phosphorus atoms to afford [2,4-bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-diphosphacyclopentadienylidene](alkyl)(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)phosphoranes which are phosphorus ylides that bear a P-H bond. A phosphorus ylide bearing both P-H and P-F bonds was obtained by reaction of 2,4,6-tris(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,6-triphosphafulvene with hydrogen tetrafluoroborate, and the structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Both P=C double bond and P(+)-C(-) zwitterionic character was indicated by the metric parameters. The isolated phosphorus ylide bearing a P-H bond, [2,4-bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-diphosphacyclopentadienylidene](2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)phosphorane, showed no isomerization by H-migration to the corresponding phosphinodiphospholes, probably due to the pi-accepting ability of the unsaturated PC bonds and aromaticity of the C3P2 ring. The ylide structure and aromaticity of 2,4-diphosphacyclopenta-2,4-dienylidenephosphorane was characterized by theoretical calculations. In addition, the regioselective protonation of the lithiated phosphinodiphospholes generated from the 1,3,6-triphosphafulvene is discussed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Alkynyl Complexes of Groups 1 and 2

The synthesis of N‐heterocyclic carbene adducts of alkynyl lithium and magnesium is achieved, and different degrees of association are observed. Reaction of strontium amide nacnacSrN(SiMe₃)₂(thf) (nacnac=CH(CMe2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)₂) with PhC≡CH in THF yields the dimeric alkynyl complex [nacnacSr(thf)(μ‐C≡CPh)]₂ which shows an interesting coordination geometry around the metal center. The compound retains the THF molecules, unlike its lighter congener, even in hydrocarbon solvents.     

Enantiomerically Pure Phosphaalkene–Oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox): Synthesis,Scope and Copolymerization with Styrene

The design of a synthetic route to a class of enantiomerically pure phosphaalkene–oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox) is presented. The condensation of a lithium silylphosphide and a ketone (the phospha‐Peterson reaction) was used as the P?C bond‐forming step. Attempted condensation of PhC(?O)Ox (Ox=CNOCH(iPr)C H₂) and MesP(SiMe₃)Li gave the unusual heterocycle (MesP)₂C(Ph)?CN‐(S)‐CH(iPr)CH₂O ( 3 ). However, PhAk‐Ox (S,E)‐MesP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 a ) was successfully prepared by treating MesP(SiMe₃)Li with PhC(?O)CMe₂Ox (52 %). To demonstrate the modularity and tunability of the phospha‐Peterson synthesis several other phosphaalkene–oxazolines were prepared in an analogous manner to 1 a : TripP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 b ; Trip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl), 2‐iPrC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 c ), 2‐tBuC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 d ), MesP?C(4‐MeOC₆H₄)CMe₂Ox ( 1 e ), MesP?C(Ph)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 f ), and MesP?C(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 g ). To evaluate the PhAk‐Ox compounds as prospective precursors to chiral phosphine polymers, monomer 1 a and styrene were subjected to radical‐initiated copolymerization conditions to afford [{MesPC(Ph)(CMe₂Ox)}_x{CH₂CHPh}_y]_n ( 9 a : x=0.13n, y=0.87n; GPC: M_w=7400 g mol^?1, PDI=1.15).     

P=C bonds as building blocks for three- and four-membered heterocyclic cations: synthesis, structures and mechanistic studies

The activation of the P=C bond of phosphaalkenes with electrophiles is investigated as a means to prepare and characterize unusual organophosphorus compounds. Treatment of RP=CHtBu (1a: R=tBu; 1b: R=1-adamantyl) with HOTf (0.5 equiv) affords diphosphiranium salts [RP-CHtBu-PR (CH(2)tBu)]OTf ([2a]OTf and [2b]OTf), each containing a three-membered P(2)C ring. In contrast, the addition of MeOTf (0.5 equiv) to either 1a or 1b affords diphosphetanium salts [RP-CHtBu-P(Me)R-CHtBu]OTf ([3a]OTf and [3b]OTf) containing four-membered P(2)C(2) heterocycles. The phosphenium triflate [tBuP(CH(2)tBu)]OTf ([5a]OTf) and methylenephosphonium triflate [tBu(Me)P=CHtBu]OTf ([7a]OTf) are identified spectroscopically as intermediates in the formation of [2a](+) and [3a](+), respectively. The phosphenium triflate intermediate can be trapped with 2-butyne to afford phosphirenium salt [MeC=CMe-tBuPCH(2)tBu]OTf ([6a]OTf). Treatment of diphosphetanium [3a]OTf with an excess MeOTf affords [Me(2)P-CHtBu-PMetBu-CHtBu](OTf)(2) ([4a](OTf)(2)), a compound containing a diphosphetanium dication. The molecular structures are reported for [2a]OTf, [2b][H(OTf)(2)], [3a]I, [3b]I, [4a](OTf)(2), and [6a]OTf.     

Phospha-organic chemistry: panorama and perspectives

Since the beginning of the seventies, organophosphorus chemistry has been completely rejuvenated by the discovery of stable derivatives in which phosphorus has the coordination numbers one or two. The chemistry of these compounds mimics the chemistry of their all-carbon analogues. In this Review article this analogy is discussed for the phosphorus counterparts of alkenes, alkynes, and carbenes. In each case, the synthesis, reactivity, and coordination modes are briefly examined. Some special electronic configurations are also discussed, which include one-electron Pbond;P bonds, strained bonds, and aromatic systems. To conclude, some potential applications of this chemistry in the areas of molecular materials and homogeneous catalysis are presented.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of cyclopropyl-substituted phosphaalkenes

Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chlorides5a-d react with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphane6 in benzene at –2 °C to form cyclopropylcarbonyl-bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphanes7. These products undergo silylic rearrangement at 25 °C to yield phosphaalkenes8. Compounds 8a,b,d are formed as mixtures ofZ- andE-isomers where the latter predominate. In the case of8c, theZ-isomer is formed exclusively.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 684–689, April, 1994.The authors are grateful to the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (Germany) for financial support of this work. A. B. Kostitsyn is also grateful to the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst for a grant to carry out this study. For a preliminary communicationcf. Ref. 1.     

CF3‐Inspired Synthesis of Air‐Tolerant 9‐Phosphaanthracenes that Feature Fluorescence and Crystalline Polymorphs

9‐Phosphaanthracene (dibenzo[b,e]phosphorin, acridophosphine) has attracted interest as one of the heavier acenes. Herein, we demonstrate an efficient synthetic process that provides air‐tolerant 1,8‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐9‐phosphaanthracenes. The sterically encumbered and electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl (CF₃) groups are quite advantageous not only to stabilize the intrinsically unstable heavier unsaturated phosphorus atom but also to facilitate construction of the phosphinine skeleton based on a putative increase in aromaticity. The isolated 9‐phosphaanthracenes allowed characterization of their fluorescence functionality and planar heteroanthracene frameworks. The crystal structures of 9‐phosphaanthracenes are remarkably dependent on the aryl substituents at the 10 position; anthryl‐substituted 9‐phosphaanthracene showed unique polymorphs that induced different‐colored crystals.     

Phosphorus Centers of Different Hybridization in Phosphaalkene‐Substituted Phospholes

Phosphole‐substituted phosphaalkenes (PPAs) of the general formula Mes*P?C(CH₃)?(C₄H₂P(Ph))?R 5 a – c (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃Ph; R=2‐pyridyl ( a ), 2‐thienyl ( b ), phenyl ( c )) have been prepared from octa‐1,7‐diyne‐substituted phosphaalkenes by utilizing the Fagan–Nugent route. The presence of two differently hybridized phosphorus centers (σ²,λ³ and σ³,λ³) in 5 offers the possibility to selectively tune the HOMO–LUMO gap of the compounds by utilizing the different reactivity of the two phosphorus heteroatoms. Oxidation of 5 a – c by sulfur proceeds exclusively at the σ³,λ³‐phosphorus atom, thus giving rise to the corresponding thioxophospholes 6 a – c . Similarly, 5 a is selectively coordinated by AuCl at the σ³,λ³‐phosphorus atom. Subsequent second AuCl coordination at the σ²,λ³‐phosphorus heteroatom results in a dimetallic species that is characterized by a gold–gold interaction that provokes a change in π conjugation. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical investigations show that the phosphaalkene and the phosphole both have a sizable impact on the electronic properties of the compounds. The presence of the phosphaalkene unit induces a decrease of the HOMO–LUMO gap relative to reference phosphole‐containing π systems that lack a P?C substituent.     

A new, mild one-pot synthesis of iodinated heterocycles as suitable precursors for N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

The use of I₂/AgOAc in dichloromethane constitutes a cheap, mild, and efficient method for the selective iodination of a variety of heterocycles. In a number of cases, this method provides superior yields to other literature methods and affords iodo-functionalized heterocycles that are suitable precursors for carbene complexes.     

Oxygen‐Dependent Photocatalytic Water Reduction with a Ruthenium(imidazolium) Chromophore and a Cobaloxime Catalyst

Detailed investigations of a photocatalytic system capable of producing hydrogen under pre‐catalytic aerobic conditions are reported. This system consists of the NHC precursor chromophore [Ru(tbbpy)₂(RR′ip)][PF₆]₃ (abbreviated as Ru(RR′ip)[PF₆]₃; tbbpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, RR′ip=1,3‐disubstituted‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthrolinium), the reduction catalyst Co(dmgH)₂ (dmgH=dimethylglyoximato), and the electron donor ascorbic acid (AA). Screening studies with respect to solvent, cobaloxime catalyst, electron donor, pH, and concentrations of the individual components yielded optimized photocatalytic conditions. The system shows high activity based on Ru, with turnover numbers up to 2000 under oxygen‐free and pre‐catalytic aerobic conditions. The turnover frequency in the latter case was even higher than that for the oxygen‐free catalyst system. The Ru complexes show high photostability and their first excited state is primarily located on the RR′ip ligand. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the rigid cyclophane‐type ligand dd(ip)₂(Br)₂ (dd(ip)₂=1,1′,3,3′‐bis(2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(methylene)bis(1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthrolinium)) and the catalytic activity of its Ru complex [{(tbbpy)₂Ru}₂(μ‐dd(ip)₂)][PF₆]₆ (abbreviated as Ru₂(dd(ip)₂)[PF₆]₆) suggest an intermolecular catalytic cycle.     

Nature of the Arsonium‐Ylide Ph3As=CH2 and a Uranium(IV) Arsonium–Carbene Complex

Treatment of [Ph₃EMe][I] with [Na{N(SiMe₃)₂}] affords the ylides [Ph₃E=CH₂] (E=As, 1As ; P, 1P ). For 1As this overcomes prior difficulties in the synthesis of this classical arsonium‐ylide that have historically impeded its wider study. The structure of 1As has now been determined, 45 years after it was first convincingly isolated, and compared to 1P , confirming the long‐proposed hypothesis of increasing pyramidalisation of the ylide‐carbon, highlighting the increasing dominance of E⁺?C^? dipolar resonance form (sp³‐C) over the E=C ene π‐bonded form (sp²‐C), as group 15 is descended. The uranium(IV)–cyclometallate complex [U{N(CH₂CH₂NSiPrⁱ₃)₂(CH₂CH₂SiPrⁱ₂CH(Me)CH₂)}] reacts with 1As and 1P by α‐proton abstraction to give [U(Tren^TIPS)(CHEPh₃)] (Tren^TIPS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiPrⁱ₃)₃; E=As, 2As ; P, 2P ), where 2As is an unprecedented structurally characterised arsonium‐carbene complex. The short U?C distances and obtuse U‐C‐E angles suggest significant U=C double bond character. A shorter U?C distance is found for 2As than 2P , consistent with increased uranium‐ and reduced pnictonium‐stabilisation of the carbene as group 15 is descended, which is supported by quantum chemical calculations.     

Synthesis, structure and benzannulation of chalcogen-tethered Fischer carbene complexes

Addition of PhSH-NEt₃ or PhSeNa to PhCCC(OC₂H₅)M(CO)₅ [M = Cr or W] afforded stable, β-chalcogenide tethered conjugated carbene complexes 3-6 as a mixture of E,Z-isomers. The Z-configuration was ascribed to those isomers that readily yield cyclometallated complexes. Aminolysis with methylamine yielded corresponding amino carbene complexes as mixtures of E,Z-isomers. Alkylation by methyl iodide afforded separable E,Z-isomers of dimethylamino complexes. One-step aminolysis of ethoxy carbene complexes with dimethylamine furnished only the Z-isomer of the dimethylamino complex. The Z-isomer of dimethylamino carbene complexes yielded cyclometallated products on warming. Representative crystal structures of these complexes confirm isomer assignments. Only E-isomers of the S or Se-tethered ethoxy complexes undergo benzannulation reaction with alkynes, with loss of chalcogenide atom.     

Synthesis of monodentate bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes of iridium: Mixed complexes of abnormal NHCs, normal NHCs, and triazole NHCs

A stepwise synthesis of mixed monodentate bis-NHC complexes of Ir(I), employing Ag(I)NHC complexes as transfer agents, yields complexes with two monodentate NHCs having different steric and electronic characteristics. The crystal structure of the mixed complex (5) with both a triazole-derived NHC ligand and an imidazole-derived NHC ligand is reported and both the NHC ring geometry and the M-NHC bond lengths are similar to related complexes. The complexes maintain their integrity over time and do not disproportionate, consistent with the NHC ligands not being labile.