9Be and 31P NMR analyses on the influence of imino groups on Be2+ complex stabilities of a series of cyclo‐μ‐imido triphosphate anions

The complexation behaviors of Be²⁺ with cyclo‐μ‐imido triphosphate anions, cP₃O_9?n(NH)_n^3? (n = 1, 2), have been investigated by both ⁹Be and ³¹P NMR techniques at ?2.3 °C in order to clarify the coordination structures of the complexes. The spectra showed that cP₃O_9?n(NH)_n (n = 1, 2) ligands form ML, ML₂, and M₂L complexes with Be²⁺ ions, and the formation of complexes coordinating with nitrogen atoms of the cyclic framework in the ligand molecule has been excluded. These complexation trends are very similar to those of Be²⁺‐cP₃O₆(NH)₃^3? system, which has been reported by us. The peak deconvolution of ⁹Be NMR spectra made these beryllium complexes amenable to stability constant determinations. The stability constants of the complexes increase with an increase in the protonation constants of the ligands as the number of imino groups, which constitute the ligand molecules, is ascended. This increase is primarily attributable to the lower electronegativity of nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms, which are directly bonded to central phosphorus atoms; moreover, tautomerism equilibrium in the entire of the imidopolyphosphate molecule is also responsible to the higher basicity. ³¹P NMR spectra measured concurrently have verified the formation of the complexes estimated by the ⁹Be NMR measurement. Intrinsic ³¹P NMR chemical shift values of the phosphorus atoms belonging to ligand molecules complexed with Be²⁺ cations have been determined. Not only the protonation constants but also the stability constants of all Be²⁺ complexes increase approximately linearly with an increase in the number of imino groups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.