Reactive E=C(p‐p)π‐Systems. 56 [1] Attempted Preparation of PhE=C(CF3)2 by Reactions of Hexafluoroacetone with PhE(SiMe3)2 (E = As,P)

The chance to prepare sterically and inductively stabilized arsa‐ and phosphaalkenes of the type PhE=C(CF₃)₂ (E = As, P) by reacting phenyl‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐arsane ( 1 ) and ‐phosphane ( 5 ), respectively, with hexafluoroacetone (HFA) was investigated. The insertion of the carbonyl function in one of the Si–E bonds was found to occur at temperatures between ?78 and 20 °C. The elimination of hexamethyldisiloxane, which in case of acylamides and ketones spontaneously follows the insertion and in case of RE(SiMe₃)–CR′₂(OSiMe₃) at least can be initiated by solid sodium hydroxide as catalyst, turned out to be impossible for the primary products PhE(SiMe₃)–C(CF₃)₂‐OSiMe₃ E = As ( 2 ), P ( 6 )]. 2 and 6 were characterized by analytical (C, H) and spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR, MS).