Phosphahelicenes with (Thio)Phosphinic Acid and Ester Functions by the Oxidative Photocyclisation Approach

Phosphahelicenes with thiophosphinic acid and ester functions have been obtained by the oxidative photocyclisation of olefins bearing both a benzophenanthrene and a benzophosphole unit. When the method has been extended to olefins bearing a partially saturated benzophospholene unit, a divergent regioselectivity of the photocyclisation step has been observed, leading to new helicenes in which the phosphorus function is located on the external rim of the helical backbone. The observed regioselectivity correlates well with the free-valence numbers of the atoms involved in the photocyclisation reaction (DFT calculations).     

Phosphahelicenes: From Chiroptical and Photophysical Properties to OLED Applications

Herein, the experimental physicochemical and chiroptical properties of a series of phosphahelicenes are reported, focusing on their UV/Vis absorption, luminescence, electronic circular dichroism, optical rotations, and circularly polarized luminescence. Furthermore, detailed analysis of absorption and ECD spectra performed with the help of quantum-chemical calculations allowed us to highlight general features of these helicenic phosphines. Finally, due to well-suited electrochemical properties and thermal stability, the systems were successfully used as emitters in organic light-emitting diodes.     

Heterohelicenes with Embedded P‐Chiral 1H‐Phosphindole or Dibenzophosphole Units: Diastereoselective Photochemical Synthesis and Structural Characterization

The oxidative photocyclization reactions of olefins that contain 1H‐phosphindole or dibenzophosphole substituents have been applied to the synthesis of P/N‐bi‐heterosubstituted dimeric helicenes, as well as of new [6]‐ and [8]phosphahelicenes. In these photocyclization processes, the configuration of the stereogenic phosphorus center dictates the sense of helical chirality. Thus, by starting from enantiomerically pure P‐menthylphosphole‐oxide units, this method affords enantiopure helical compounds. The helical phosphine oxides were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. After reduction of the phosphine‐oxides, the corresponding helical phosphines have been used as ligands in transition‐metal complexes. The X‐ray crystal structure of a gold chloride complex of a [6]helicene is reported.     

Phosphathiahelicenes: Synthesis and Uses in Enantioselective Gold Catalysis

Enantiomerically pure thiahelicenes displaying a terminal phosphole unit and a stereogenic phosphorus center have been prepared by oxidative photocyclization of a diaryl‐olefin precursor. Starting from one of these phosphathiahelicene oxides, the corresponding trivalent phosphine–Au^I complex is obtained with complete diastereoselectivity. It affords a new, excellent precatalyst for the enantioselective cycloisomerization of N‐tethered enynes (up to 96 % ee).     

Synthesis of New Phosphahelicene Scaffolds and Development of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allenene Cyclizations

This paper reports on the development of an efficient synthesis of enantiopure phospha[6]helicenes through a [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerization reaction. The corresponding gold complexes proved to be highly efficient both in terms of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in [2+2] and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions. Furthermore, in the presence of an external nucleophile, such as water or alcohols, the tandem cyclization/addition reactions take place in high yields and excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.