Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of Hydrogen Cleavage by a Lewis Base [tBu3P] and a Lewis Acid [B(C6F5)3] at the Mesoscopic Level—Dynamics in the Solute–Solvent Molecular Clusters

With the help of state‐of‐the‐art ab initio molecular dynamics methods, we investigated the reaction pathway of the {tBu₃P + H₂ + B(C₆F₅)₃} system at the mesoscopic level. It is shown that: i) the onset of H₂ activation is at much larger boron???phosphorus distances than previously thought; ii) the system evolves to the product in a roaming‐like fashion because of quasi‐periodic nuclear motion along the asymmetric normal mode of P???H?H???B fragment; iii) transient configurations of a certain type are present despite structural interference from the solvent; iv) transient‐state configurations with sub‐picosecond lifetime have potentially interesting infrared activity in the organic solvent (toluene) as well as in the gas phase. The presented results should be helpful for future experimental and theoretical studies of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) activity.     

Reaction of Frustrated Lewis Pairs with Ketones and Esters

The frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes₂PCH₂CH₂B(C₆F₅)₂ ( 1 ) reacts with an enolizable conjugated ynone by 1,4‐addition involving enolate tautomerization to give an eight‐membered zwitterionic heterocycle. The conjugated endione PhCO‐CH?CH‐COPh reacts with the intermolecular FLP tBu₃P/B(C₆F₅)₃ by a simple 1,4‐addition to an enone subunit. The same substrate undergoes a more complex reaction with the FLP 1 that involves internal acetal formation to give a heterobicyclic zwitterionic product. FLP 1 reacts with dimethyl maleate by selective overall addition to the C?C double bond to give a six‐membered heterocycle. It adds analogously to the triple bond of an acetylenic ester to give a similarly structured six‐membered heterocycle. The intermolecular FLP P(o‐tolyl)₃/B(C₆F₅)₃ reacts analogously with acetylenic ester by trans‐addition to the carbon–carbon triple bond. An excess of the intermolecular FLP tBu₃P/B(C₆F₅)₃, which contains a more nucleophilic phosphane, reacts differently with acetylenic ester examples, namely by O? C(alkyl) bond cleavage to give the {R‐CO₂[B(C₆F₅)₃]₂^?}[alkyl‐PtBu₃⁺] salts. Simple aryl or alkyl esters react analogously by using the borane‐stabilized carboxylates as good leaving groups. All essential products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and reactivity of alkynyl-linked phosphonium borates

The phosphine tBu₂PC?CH ( 1 ) was reacted with B(C₆F₅) to give the zwitterionic species tBu₂P(H)C?CB(C₆F₅)₃ ( 2 ). The analogous species tBu₂P(Me)C?CB(C₆F₅)₃ ( 3 ), tBu₂P(H)C?CB(Cl)(C₆F₅)₂ ( 4 ), tBu₂P(H)C?CB(H)(C₆F₅)₂ ( 5 ), and tBu₂P(Me)C?CB(H)(C₆F₅) ₂ ( 6 ) were also prepared. The salt [tBu₂P(H)C?CB(C₆F₅)₂(THF)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 7 ) was prepared through abstraction of hydride by [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Species 5 reacted with the imine tBuN?CHPh to give the borane–amine adduct tBu₂PC?CB[tBuN(H)CH₂Ph](C₆F₅)₂ ( 8 ). The related phosphine Mes₂PC?CH ( 9 ; Mes=C₆H₂Me₃) was used to prepare [tBu₃PH][Mes₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₃] ( 10 ) and generate Mes₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂. The adduct Mes₂PC?CB(NCMe)(C₆F₅)₂ ( 11 ) was isolated. Reaction of Mes₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂ with H₂ gave the zwitterionic product (C₆F₅)₂(H)BC(H)?C[P(H)Mes₂][(C₆F₅)₂BC?CP(H)Mes₂] ( 12 ). Reaction of tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂, a phosphine–borane generated in situ from 5 , with 1‐hexene gave the species [tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂](CH₂CHnBu)[tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂] ( 13 ) and subsequent reaction with methanol or hexene resulted in the formation of [tBu₂P(H)C?CB(C₆F₅)₂](CH₂CHnBu)[tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂](OMe) ( 14 ) or the macrocycle {[tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂](CH₂CH₂nBu)}₂ ( 15 ), respectively. In a related fashion, the reaction of 13 with THF afforded the macrocycle [tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂](CH₂CHnBu)[tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂][O(CH₂)₄] ( 16 ), although treatment of tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂ with THF lead to the formation of {[tBu₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂][O(CH₂)₄]}₂ ( 17 ). In a related example, the reaction of Mes₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂ with PhC?CH gave {[Mes₂PC?CB(C₆F₅)₂](CH?CPh)}₂ ( 18 ). Compound 5 reacted with AlX₃ (X=Cl, Br) to give addition to the alkynyl unit, affording (C₆F₅)₂BC(H)?C[P(H)tBu₂](AlX₃) (X=Cl 19 , Br 20 ). In a similar fashion, 5 reacted with [Zn(C₆F₅)₂] ? C₇H₈, [Al(C₆F₅)₃] ? C₇H₈, or HB(C₆F₅)₂ to give (C₆F₅)₃BC(H)?C[P(H)tBu₂][Zn(C₆F₅)] ( 21 ), (C₆F₅)₃BC(H)?C[P(H)tBu₂][Al(C₆F₅)₂] ( 22 ), or [(C₆F₅)₂B]₂HC?CH[P(H)tBu₂] ( 23 ), respectively. The implications of this reactivity are discussed.     

Why Does the Intramolecular Trimethylene‐Bridged Frustrated Lewis Pair Mes2PCH2CH2CH2B(C6F5)2 Not Activate Dihydrogen?

The methyl labelled C₃‐bridged frustrated phosphane borane Lewis pair (P/B FLP) 2 b was prepared by treatment of Mes₂PCl with a methallyl Grignard reagent followed by anti‐Markovnikov hydroboration with Piers’ borane [HB(C₆F₅)₂)]. The FLP 2 b is inactive toward dihydrogen under typical ambient conditions, in contrast to the C₂‐ and C₄‐bridged FLP analogues. Dynamic NMR spectroscopy showed that this was not due to kinetically hindered P???B dissociation of 2 b . DFT calculations showed that the hydrogen‐splitting reaction of the parent compound 2 a is markedly endergonic. The PH⁺/BH^? H₂‐splitting product of 2 b was indirectly synthesized by a sequence of H⁺/H^? addition. It lost H₂ at ambient conditions and confirmed the result of the DFT analysis.     

Formation and Reactivity of an Aluminabenzene Ligand at Pentadienyl‐Supported Rare‐Earth Metals

The half‐open rare‐earth‐metal aluminabenzene complexes [(1‐Me‐3,5‐tBu₂‐C₅H₃Al)(μ‐Me)Ln(2,4‐dtbp)] (Ln=Y, Lu) are accessible via a salt metathesis reaction employing Ln(AlMe₄)₃ and K(2,4‐dtbp). Treatment of the yttrium complex with B(C₆F₅)₃ and tBuCCH gives access to the pentafluorophenylalane complex [{1‐(C₆F₅)‐3,5‐tBu₂‐C₅H₃Al}{μ‐C₆F₅}Y{2,4‐dtbp}] and the mixed vinyl acetylide complex [(2,4‐dtbp)Y(μ‐η¹:η³‐2,4‐tBu₂‐C₅H₄)(μ‐CCtBu)AlMe₂], respectively.     

Promoting Difficult Carbon–Carbon Couplings: Which Ligand Does Best?

A Pd complex, cis‐[Pd(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] ( 1 ), is proposed as a useful touchstone for direct and simple experimental measurement of the relative ability of ancillary ligands to induce C?C coupling. Interestingly, 1 is also a good alternative to other precatalysts used to produce Pd⁰L. Complex 1 ranks the coupling ability of some popular ligands in the order P^tBu₃>o‐TolPEWO‐F≈tBuXPhos>P(C₆F₅)₃≈PhPEWO‐F>P(o‐Tol)₃≈THF≈tBuBrettPhos?Xantphos≈PhPEWO‐H?PPh₃ according to their initial coupling rates, whereas their efficiency, depending on competitive hydrolysis, is ranked tBuXPhos≈P^tBu₃≈o‐TolPEWO‐F>PhPEWO‐F>P(C₆F₅)₃?tBuBrettPhos>THF≈P(o‐Tol)₃>Xantphos>PhPEWO‐H?PPh₃. This “meter” also detects some other possible virtues or complications of ligands such as tBuXPhos or tBuBrettPhos.     

Boron Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Alkenes with Pinacolborane: BArF3 Does What B(C6F5)3 Cannot Do!

The transition‐metal‐free hydroboration of various alkenes with pinacolborane (HBpin) initiated by tris[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane (BAr^F₃) is reported. The choice of the boron Lewis acid is crucial as the more prominent boron Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) is reluctant to react. Unlike B(C₆F₅)₃, BAr^F₃ is found to engage in substituent redistribution with HBpin, resulting in the formation of Ar^FBpin and the electron‐deficient diboranes [H₂BAr^F]₂ and [(Ar^F)(H)B(μ‐H)₂BAr^F₂]. These in situ‐generated hydroboranes undergo regioselective hydroboration of styrene derivatives as well as aliphatic alkenes with cis diastereoselectivity. Another ligand metathesis of these adducts with HBpin subsequently affords the corresponding HBpin‐derived anti‐Markovnikov adducts. The reactive hydroboranes are regenerated in this step, thereby closing the catalytic cycle.     

Promoting Difficult Carbon–Carbon Couplings: Which Ligand Does Best?

A Pd complex, cis‐[Pd(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] ( 1 ), is proposed as a useful touchstone for direct and simple experimental measurement of the relative ability of ancillary ligands to induce C−C coupling. Interestingly, 1 is also a good alternative to other precatalysts used to produce Pd⁰L. Complex 1 ranks the coupling ability of some popular ligands in the order P^tBu₃>o‐TolPEWO‐F≈tBuXPhos>P(C₆F₅)₃≈PhPEWO‐F>P(o‐Tol)₃≈THF≈tBuBrettPhos≫Xantphos≈PhPEWO‐H≫PPh₃ according to their initial coupling rates, whereas their efficiency, depending on competitive hydrolysis, is ranked tBuXPhos≈P^tBu₃≈o‐TolPEWO‐F>PhPEWO‐F>P(C₆F₅)₃≫tBuBrettPhos>THF≈P(o‐Tol)₃>Xantphos>PhPEWO‐H≫PPh₃. This “meter” also detects some other possible virtues or complications of ligands such as tBuXPhos or tBuBrettPhos.     

Reaktionen von tBu2P–P=P(Me)tBu2 mit (Et3P)2NiCl2 und [{η2‐C2H4}Ni(PEt3)2]

Coordination Chemistry of P‐rich Phosphanes and Silylphosphanes. XXIII. Reactions of ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ with (Et₃P)₂NiCl₂ and [{η²‐C₂H₄}Ni(PEt₃)₂] ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ ( 1 ) forms with (Et₃P)₂NiCl₂ ( 2 ) and Na(Nph) the [μ‐(1,3 : 2,3‐η‐^tBu₂P₄^tBu₂){Ni(PEt₃)Cl}₂] ( 3 ) as main product. Using Na/Hg instead as reducing agent the Ni⁰ compounds [{η²‐^tBu₂P–P}Ni(PEt₃)₂] ( 4 ), [{η²‐^tBu₂P–P=P–P^tBu₂}Ni(PEt₃)₂] ( 5 ) and [(Et₃P)Ni(μ‐P^tBu₂)]₂ ( 6 ) with four‐membered Ni₂P₂ ring result. [{η²‐C₂H₄}Ni(PEt₃)₂] yields with 1 also 4 . The compounds were characterized by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR investigations and 3 also by a single crystal X‐ray analysis. It crystallizes triclinic in the space group P 1 with a = 1129.4(2), b = 1256.8(3), c = 1569.5(3) pm, α = 72.44(3)°, β = 70.52(3)° and γ = 74.20(3)°.     

New Strategies to Phosphino–Phosphonium Cations and Zwitterions

By employing strategies based on frustrated Lewis pair chemistry, new routes to phosphino‐phosphonium cations and zwitterions have been developed. B(C₆F₅)₃ is shown to react with H₂ and P₂tBu₄ to effect heterolytic hydrogen activation yielding the phosphino‐phosphonium borate salt [(tBu₂P)PHtBu₂] [HB(C₆F₅)₃] ( 1 ). Alternatively, alkenylphosphino‐phosphonium borate zwitterions are accessible by reaction of B(C₆F₅)₃ and PhC?CH with P₂Ph₄, P₄Cy₄, or P₅Ph₅ affording the species [(Ph₂P)P(Ph)₂C(Ph)?C(H)B(C₆F₅)₃] ( 2 ), [(P₃Cy₃)P(Cy)C(Ph)?C(H)B(C₆F₅)₃] ( 3 ), and [(P₄Ph₄)P(Ph)C(Ph)?C(H)B(C₆F₅)₃] ( 4 ). A related phosphino‐phosphonium borate species—[(Ph₄P₄)P(Ph)C₆F₄B(F)(C₆F₅)₂] ( 5 ) is also isolated from the thermolysis of B(C₆F₅)₃ and P₅Ph₅.     

A Highly Reactive Geminal P/B Frustrated Lewis Pair: Expanding the Scope to C−X (X=Cl,Br) Bond Activation

The geminal frustrated Lewis pair tBu₂PCH₂B(Fxyl)₂ ( 1 ; Fxyl=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) is accessible in 65 % yield from tBu₂PCH₂Li and (Fxyl)₂BF. According to NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography, 1 is monomeric both in solution and in the solid state. The intramolecular P ??? B distance of 2.900(5) Å and the full planarity of the borane site exclude any significant P/B interaction. Compound 1 readily activates a broad variety of substrates including H₂, EtMe₂SiH, CO₂/CS₂, Ph₂CO, and H₃CCN. Terminal alkynes react with heterolysis of the C?H bond. Haloboranes give cyclic adducts with strong P?BX₃ and weak R₃B?X bonds. Unprecedented transformations leading to zwitterionic XP/BCX₃ adducts occur on treatment of 1 with CCl₄ or CBr₄ in Et₂O. In less polar solvents (C₆H₆, n‐pentane), XP/BCX₃ adduct formation is accompanied by the generation of significant amounts of XP/BX adducts. FLP 1 catalyzes the hydrogenation of PhCH=NtBu and the hydrosilylation of Ph₂CO with EtMe₂SiH.     

Catalytic Ammonia Oxidation to Dinitrogen by Hydrogen Atom Abstraction

Catalysts for the oxidation of NH₃ are critical for the utilization of NH₃ as a large‐scale energy carrier. Molecular catalysts capable of oxidizing NH₃ to N₂ are rare. This report describes the use of [Cp*Ru(P^tBu₂N^Ph₂)(¹⁵NH₃)][BAr^F₄], (P^tBu₂N^Ph₂=1,5‐di(phenylaza)‐3,7‐di(tert‐butylphospha)cyclooctane; Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), to catalytically oxidize NH₃ to dinitrogen under ambient conditions. The cleavage of six N?H bonds and the formation of an N≡N bond was achieved by coupling H⁺ and e^? transfers as net hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) steps using the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenoxyl radical (^tBu₃ArO^.) as the H atom acceptor. Employing an excess of ^tBu₃ArO^. under 1 atm of NH₃ gas at 23 °C resulted in up to ten turnovers. Nitrogen isotopic (¹⁵N) labeling studies provide initial mechanistic information suggesting a monometallic pathway during the N???N bond‐forming step in the catalytic cycle.     

Conformational Rigidity in Complexes [MCl(tBu2PH)3] (M = Rh,Ir)

Reactions of [{M(μ‐Cl)(coe)₂}₂] (M = Rh, Ir; coe = cis‐cyclooctene) with the secondary phosphane tBu₂PH under various molar ratios were investigated. Probably, for kinetic reasons, the reaction behavior of the rhodium species differed from that of the iridium analogue in some instances. During these studies complexes [MCl(tBu₂PH)₃] [M = Rh ( 1 ), Ir ( 2 )] were isolated, and solution variable‐temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies revealed that these complexes show a conformational rigidity on the NMR time scale. Spectra recorded in the temperature range from 173 to 373 K indicated in each case only one rotamer containing three chemically nonequivalent phosphanes due to the restricted rotation of these ligands about the M–P bonds and the tert‐butyl substituents around the P–C(tBu) bonds, respectively. Compound 1 showed in solution already at room temperature in several solvents a dissociation of a phosphane ligand affording the known complex [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(tBu₂PH)₂}₂] beside the free phosphane. In contrast to these findings, the iridium analogue 2 remained completely unchanged under similar conditions and exhibited, therefore, some kinetic inertness. For a better understanding of the NMR spectroscopic investigations, the molecular structure of 1 in the solid state was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

The New Fluoro‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate Anion [(C2F5)3BF]—, Unexpected Formation of [(C2F5)3BH]— as a By‐Product. Das neue Fluoro‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borat Anion [(C2F5)3BF]—, unerwartete Bildung des Nebenprodukts [(C2F5)3BH]—

Dimethylamine‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borane (C₂F₅)₃B · NHMe₂ ( 1 ) has been obtained from C₂F₅I, Br₂BNMe₂ and tris(diethylamino)phosphane in sulfolane. Alkylation using CH₃I/KOH yielded the trimethylamine‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borane (C₂F₅)₃B · NMe₃ ( 2 ). Compound 2 reacts with NEt₃×3HF at 200—204 °C under replacement of the trimethylamine ligand to form the novel fluoro‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate anion [(C₂F₅)₃BF]^— ( 3 ) in good yield. Side products are the hydroxy‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate [(C₂F₅)₃BOH]^— ( 4 ) and the hydrido‐tris(pentafluoroethyl)borate [(C₂F₅)₃BH]^— ( 5 ).     

[Co(g5‐Me5C5)(g3‐tBu2PPCH–CH3)] aus [Co(g5‐Me5C5)(g2‐C2H4)2] und tBu2P–P=P(Me)tBu2

Coordination Chemistry of P‐rich Phosphanes and Silylphosphanes. XVII [1] [Co(g⁵‐Me₅C₅)(g³‐^tBu₂PPCH–CH₃)] from [Co(g⁵‐Me₅C₅)(g²‐C₂H₄)₂] and ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅)(η³‐^tBu₂PPCH–CH₃)] 1 is formed in the reaction of [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅)(η²‐C₂H₄)₂] 2 with ^tBu₂P–P 4 (generated from ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ 3 ) by elimination of one C₂H₄ ligand and coupling of the phosphinophosphinidene with the second one. The structure of 1 is proven by ³¹P, ¹³C, ¹H NMR spectra and the X‐ray structure analysis. Within the ligand ^tBu₂P¹P²C¹H–CH₃ in 1 , the angle P1–P2–C1 amounts to 90°. The Co, P1, P2, C1 atoms in 1 look like a „butterfly”︁. The reaction of 2 with a mixture of ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ 3 and ^tBu–C?P 5 yields [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅){η⁴‐(^tBuCP)₂}] 6 and 1 . While 6 is spontaneously formed, 1 appears only after complete consumption of 5 .     

Exploring the Limits of Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry with Alkynes: Detection of a System that Favors 1,1‐Carboboration over Cooperative 1,2‐P/B‐Addition

The zirconocene complex [{(C₆F₅)₂B‐(CH₂)₃‐Cp}(Cp‐PtBu₂)ZrCl₂] ( 6 ; Cp=cyclo‐C₅H₄) was prepared by hydroboration of [(allyl‐Cp)(Cp‐PtBu₂)ZrCl₂] ( 5 ) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ (“Piers’ borane”). It represents a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in which both the Lewis acid and the Lewis base were attached at the metallocene framework. Its reaction with 1‐pentyne did not result in the 1,2‐addition of or deprotonation reaction by the FLP, but rather in the 1,1‐carboboration of the triple bond, thereby obtaining a Z/E mixture (1.2:1) of the respective organometallic substituted alkenes 7 . The analogous reaction of 1‐pentyne with the phosphorous‐free system [{(C₆F₅)₂B‐(CH₂)₃‐Cp)}CpZrCl₂] ( 9 ) gave the respective 1,1‐carboboration products ( Z‐10 / E‐10 ≈1.3:1).     

Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane Mediated by a Pt(0)/Borane Frustrated Lewis Pair: Theoretical Design

A new efficient metal-based frustrated Lewis pair constructed by (P^tBu₃)₂Pt and B(C₆F₅)₃ was designed through density functional theory calculations for the catalytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB). The reaction was composed by the successive dehydrogenation of AB and H₂ liberation, which occurs through the cooperative functions of the Pt(0) center and the B(C₆F₅)₃ moiety. Two equivalents of H₂ were predicted to be liberated from each AB molecule. The generation of the second H2 is the rate-determining step, with a Gibbs energy barrier and reaction energy of 27.4 and 12.8 kcal/mol, respectively.     

Isolation of a Cationic Platinum(II) σ‐Silane Complex

The platinum complex [Pt(I^tBuⁱPr′)(I^tBuⁱPr)][BAr^F] interacts with tertiary silanes to form stable (<0 °C) mononuclear Pt^II σ‐SiH complexes [Pt(I^tBuⁱPr′)(I^tBuⁱPr)(η¹‐HSiR₃)][BAr^F]. These compounds have been fully characterized, including X‐ray diffraction methods, as the first examples for platinum. DFT calculations (including electronic topological analysis) support the interpretation of the coordination as an unusual η¹‐SiH. However, the energies required for achieving a η²‐SiH mode are rather low, and is consistent with the propensity of these derivatives to undergo Si?H cleavage leading to the more stable silyl species [Pt(SiR₃)(I^tBuⁱPr)₂][BAr^F] at room temperature.     

Synthesis and solid‐state structures of t‐Bu3Ga–EPh3 Lewis acid–base adducts

Three Lewis acid–base adducts t‐Bu₃Ga–EPh₃ (E = P 1 , As 2 , Sb 3 ) were synthesized by reactions of Ph₃E and t‐Bu₃Ga and characterized by heteronuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C (³¹P)) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Their structural parameters are discussed and compared to similar t‐Bu₃Ga adducts. The strength of the donor‐acceptor interactions within 1 – 3 was investigated in solution by temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopy and by quantum chemical calculations.     

Homolytic C−H Bond Activation by Phosphine−Quinone-Based Radical Ion Pairs

Herein, we present the formation of transient radical ion pairs (RIPs) by single-electron transfer (SET) in phosphine−quinone systems and explore their potential for the activation of C−H bonds. PMes₃ (Mes=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) reacts with DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone) with formation of the P−O bonded zwitterionic adduct Mes₃P−DDQ ( 1 ), while the reaction with the sterically more crowded PTip₃ (Tip=2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂) afforded C−H bond activation product Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂(DDQ)]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 2 ). UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopic studies showed that the latter reaction proceeds via initial SET, forming RIP [PTip₃]⋅⁺[DDQ]⋅⁻, and subsequent homolytic C−H bond activation, which was supported by DFT calculations. The isolation of analogous products, Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂{TCQ−B(C₆F₅)₃}]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 4 , TCQ=tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone) and Tip₂P(H)(2-[CMe₂{oQ^tBu−B(C₆F₅)₃}]-4,6-iPr₂-C₆H₂) ( 8 , oQ^tBu=3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone), from reactions of PTip₃ with Lewis-acid activated quinones, TCQ−B(C₆F₅)₃ and oQ^tBu−B(C₆F₅)₃, respectively, further supports the proposed radical mechanism. As such, this study presents key mechanistic insights into the homolytic C−H bond activation by the synergistic action of radical ion pairs.