From an Isolable Acyclic Phosphinosilylene Adduct to Donor‐Stabilized SiE Compounds (E=O,S, Se)

Reaction of the arylchlorosilylene‐NHC adduct ArSi(NHC)Cl [Ar=2,6‐Trip₂C₆H₃; NHC=(MeC)₂(NMe)₂C:] 1 with one molar equiv of lithium diphenylphosphanide affords the first stable NHC‐stabilized acyclic phosphinosilylene adduct 2 (ArSi(NHC)PPh₂), which could be structurally characterized. Compound 2 , when reacted with one molar equiv selenium and sulfur, affords the silanechalcogenones 4 a and 4 b (ArSi(NHC)(?E)PPh₂, 4 a : E=Se, 4 b : E=S), respectively. Conversion of 2 with an excess of Se and S, through additional insertion of one chalcogen atom into the Si?P bond, leads to 3 a and 3 b (ArSi(NHC)(?E)‐E‐P(?E)Ph₂, 3 a : E=Se, 3 b : E=S), respectively. Additionally, the exposure of 2 to N₂O or CO₂ yielded the isolable NHC‐stabilized silanone 4 c , Ar(NHC)(Ph₂P)Si?O.     

A Three‐Membered Cyclic Phosphasilene

Small unsaturated phosphacycles are versatile reagents owing to their strain and the added functionality of the double bond and the phosphorus lone pair. Herein we report the synthesis and isolation of the smallest possible cyclic phosphasilene as a stable adduct with an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC). First reactivity studies show a) that the PSi₂ ring is a competent ligand to the Fe(CO)₄ fragment via the phosphorus lone pair and b) that the abstraction of the NHC by BPh₃ results in the rapid head‐to‐head or head‐to‐tail dimerization of the PSi₂ unit. The relatively facile NHC cleavage indicates that the P=Si double bond is available for further manipulation.     

A Donor‐Stabilized Zwitterionic “Half‐Parent” Phosphasilene and Its Unusual Reactivity towards Small Molecules

The stabilization of the labile, zwitterionic “half‐parent” phosphasilene 4 L′Si?PH (L′=CH[(C?CH₂)CMe(NAr)₂]; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) could now be accomplished by coordination with two different donor ligands (4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene), affording the adducts 8 and 9 , respectively. The DMAP‐stabilized zwitterionic “half‐parent” phosphasilene 8 is capable of transferring the elusive parent phosphinidene moiety (:PH) to an unsaturated organic substrate, in analogy to the “free” phosphasilene 4 . Furthermore, compounds 4 and 8 show an unusual reactivity of the Si?P moiety towards small molecules. They are capable of adding dimethylzinc and of activating the S?H bonds in H₂S and the N?H bonds in ammonia and several organoamines. Interestingly, the DMAP donor ligand of 8 has the propensity to act as a leaving group at the phosphasilene during the reaction. Accordingly, treatment of 8 with H₂S affords, under liberation of DMAP, the unprecedented thiosilanoic phosphane LSi?S(PH₂) 16 (L=HC(CMe[2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N])₂). Compounds 4 and 8 react with ammonia both affording L′Si(NH₂)PH₂ 17 , respectively. In addition, the reaction of 8 with isoproylamine, p‐toluidine, and pentafluorophenylhydrazine lead to the corresponding phosphanylsilanes L′Si(PH₂)NHR (R=iPr 18 a ; R=C₆H₅?CH₃ 18 b , R=NH(C₆F₅) 18 c ), respectively.     

A Fully Phosphane‐Substituted Disilene

There is growing interest in compounds containing functionalized E=E multiple bonds (E=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) because of their potential to exhibit novel physical and chemical properties. However, compounds containing multiple functionalizations are rare, with scarcity increasing with increasing degree of substitution. The first ditetrelene R₂E=ER₂ in which the E=E bond is substituted by four heteroatoms (other than Si) is described. The tetraphosphadisilene {(Mes)₂P}₂Si=Si{P(Mes)₂}₂ ( 7 ) is readily isolated from the reaction between SiBr₄ and [(Mes)₂P]Li, the latter of which acts as a sacrificial reducing agent. The structure of 7 is presented, while the bonding in, and stability of 7 were probed using DFT calculations.     

From Disilene (SiSi) to Phosphasilene (SiP) and Phosphacumulene (PCN)

The generation of heavier double‐bond systems without by‐ or side‐product formation is of considerable importance for their application in synthesis. Peripheral functional groups in such alkene homologues are promising in this regard owing to their inherent mobility. Depending on the steric demand of the N‐alkyl substituent R, the reaction of disilenide Ar₂Si?Si(Ar)Li (Ar=2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂) with ClP(NR₂)₂ either affords the phosphinodisilene Ar₂Si?Si(Ar)P(NR₂)₂ (for R=iPr) or P‐amino functionalized phosphasilenes Ar₂(R₂N)Si? Si(Ar)?P(NR₂) (for R=Et, Me) by 1,3‐migration of one of the amino groups. In case of R=Me, upon addition of one equivalent of tert‐butylisonitrile a second amino group shift occurs to yield the 1‐aza‐3‐phosphaallene Ar₂(R₂N)Si? Si(NR₂)(Ar)? P?C?NtBu with pronounced ylidic character. All new compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and DFT calculations in selected cases.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Annulations of 4,4‐Dicyano‐2‐Methylenebut‐3‐enoates with Maleimides and Maleic Anhydride

A novel phosphine‐catalyzed [4+1] annulation of maleimides with 4,4‐dicyano‐2‐methylenebut‐3‐enoates has been developed to afford spirocyclic products, and the maleimides serves as C₁ synthons. Moreover, a phosphine‐catalyzed formal [3+2] annulation between 4,4‐dicyano‐2‐methylenebut‐3‐enoates and maleic anhydride has been also achieved, and maleic anhydride behaved as a C₃ synthon in the reaction, thus efficiently affording the functionalized cyclopentenones. A stable phosphinium‐containing zwitterionic compound is the key reactive intermediate in both annulations and was successfully isolated. Plausible mechanisms have been proposed on the basis of control experiments and deuterium‐labeling experiments.     

Base‐Stabilized Phosphinidene Boranes by Silylium‐Ion Abstraction

We report the preparation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐stabilized compounds containing P=B double bonds. The reaction of the highly functionalized phosphinoborane Mes*(SiMe₃)P?B(Cl)Cp* with Lewis bases allows access to base‐stabilized phosphinidene boranes Mes*P=B(L)Cp* (L=4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), NHC) by Me₃SiCl elimination. The formation of these species is shown to proceed through transient borylphosphide anions generated by Me₃Si abstraction.     

Isolation of an N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex of a Borasilene

Borasilenes, that is complexes which contain a boron–silicon double bond, have scarcely been isolated to date. In pursuit of such species, (Me₃Si)₃SiB(Cl)NHI ( 2 , NHI=bulky N-heterocyclic imine) was prepared and treated with KOtBu to achieve formal extrusion of ClSiMe₃. The formation of an elusive borasilene ( 3_int ) is postulated and it was verified by isolation of the N-heterocyclic carbene adduct (Me₃Si)₂SiB(I )NHI ( 4 , I =1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene). X-ray crystallographic study and theoretical calculations on 4 diagnosed a boron–silicon double bond with marked zwitterionic character. The negative charge resides at the Si atom which marks the apex of a trigonal pyramid. Structural comparison of 4 with boron cation congeners ( 5 ⁺, 6 ⁺) suggests that the positive charge is mainly located at the trigonal planar-coordinated B center. The conversion of 4 with pinacolborane (HBpin, 2 equiv) resulted in cleavage of the double bond to produce (Me₃Si)₂Si(Bpin)₂ and (NHI)BH₂(I ).     

SiP Double Bonds: Experimental and Theoretical Study of an NHC‐Stabilized Phosphasilenylidene

An experimental and theoretical study of the first compound featuring a Si?P bond to a two‐coordinate silicon atom is reported. The NHC‐stabilized phosphasilenylidene (IDipp)Si?PMes* (IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene, Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) was prepared by SiMe₃Cl elimination from SiCl₂(IDipp) and LiP(Mes*)SiMe₃ and characterized by X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. It has a planar trans‐bent geometry with a short Si? P distance of 2.1188(7) Å and acute bonding angles at Si (96.90(6)°) and P (95.38(6)°). The bonding parameters indicate the presence of a Si?P bond with a lone electron pair of high s‐character at Si and P, in agreement with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Comparative cyclic voltammetric and UV/Vis spectroscopic experiments of this compound, the disilicon(0) compound (IDipp)Si?Si(IDipp), and the diphosphene Mes*P?PMes* reveal, in combination with quantum chemical calculations, the isolobal relationship of the three double‐bond systems.     

A Stable Heterocyclic Amino(phosphanylidene‐σ4‐phosphorane) Germylene

A new stable heterocyclic germylene, in which the divalent germanium atom lies between a nitrogen atom and a phosphanylidene phosphorane group, was synthesized. Experimental and theoretical studies revealed the peculiar effect of phosphanylidene phosphorane substituent, which is a stronger π‐donor towards germanium than an amino group is. Because of the weak phosphorus–germanium π‐bond, this new germylene compound shows an enhanced reactivity compared to classical N‐heterocyclic germylenes.     

Synthesis of N‐Arylated 1,2‐Dihydroheteroaromatics Through the Three‐Component Reaction of Arynes with N‐Heteroaromatics and Terminal Alkynes or Ketones

The reaction of benzynes with N‐heteroaromatics including quinolines, isoquinolines, and pyridines and various terminal alkynes or ketones with an α‐hydrogen in the presence of KF and 18‐crown‐6 in THF at room temperature for 8 h gave various N‐arylated 1,2‐dihydroheteroaromatics in good to moderate yields. Some of these product structures are found in various naturally occurring and biologically active heterocyclic compounds. The reaction involves an unusual multiple construction of new C? C, C? N, and C? H bonds and the cleavage of a C? H bond in one pot. It is likely that the three‐component coupling proceeds through the nucleophilic addition of quinoline to benzyne, which generates a zwitterionic species. The latter then attracts a proton from terminal alkyne (or ketone) to generate an N‐arylated quinolinium cation and an acetylide anion. Further reaction of these two ions provides the final substituted 1,2‐dihydroquinolines. In the reaction, the terminal alkyne acts first as a proton donor and then as a nucleophile. The application of a three‐component coupling reaction product, 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐pyridinyl alkyne in a stereospecific [4+2] Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction with N‐phenyl maleimide to give an isoquinuclidine derivative, an important core present in various natural products, is demonstrated.     

Synthesis of 1,2‐Disubstituted Carbocyclic Nucleoside Analogues of Cytidine

The synthesis of new 1,2‐disubstituted, five‐ or six‐ring‐carbocyclic nucleoside analogues of cytidine, compounds 1 and 2a – d , are described. These compounds were obtained by aminolysis, starting from the corresponding uracil derivative, via nucleophilic displacement of a triazolyl (Scheme 1) or a (2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)sulfonyl (TPS) group (Scheme 2) at 4‐position of the pyrimidine ring.     

Hydrogen bonding in two benzene‐1,2‐diaminium pyridine‐2‐carboxylate salts and a cocrystal of benzene‐1,2‐diamine and benzoic acid

The isostructural salts benzene‐1,2‐diaminium bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxylate), 0.5C₆H₁₀N₂²⁺·C₆H₄NO₂^?, (1), and 4,5‐dimethylbenzene‐1,2‐diaminium bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxylate), 0.5C₈H₁₄N₂²⁺·C₆H₄NO₂^?, (2), and the 1:2 benzene‐1,2‐diamine–benzoic acid cocrystal, 0.5C₆H₈N₂·C₇H₆O₂, (3), are reported. All of the compounds exhibit extensive N—H…O hydrogen bonding that results in interconnected rings. O—H…N hydrogen bonding is observed in (3). Additional π–π and C—H…π interactions are found in each compound. Hirshfeld and fingerprint plot analyses reveal the primary intermolecular interactions and density functional theory was used to calculate their strengths. Salt formation by (1) and (2), and cocrystallization by (3) are rationalized by examining pK_a differences. The R₂²(9) hydrogen‐bonding motif is common to each of these structures.     

1,3‐Dehydro‐o‐Carborane: Generation and Reaction with Arenes

Like the importance of benzyne, witnessed in modern arene chemistry for decades, 1,2‐dehydro‐o‐carborane (o‐carboryne), a three‐dimensional relative of benzyne, has been used as a synthon for generating a wide range of cage, carbon‐functionalized carboranes over the past 20 years. However, the selective B functionalization of the cage still represents a challenging task. Disclosed herein is the first example of 1,3‐dehydro‐o‐carborane featuring a cage C? B bond having multiple bonding characters, and is successfully generated by treatment of 3‐diazonium‐o‐carborane tetrafluoroborate with non‐nucleophilic bases. This presents a new methodology for simultaneous functionalization of both cage carbon and boron vertices.