Synthesis and characterization of a new cyclic phosph(V)azane ligand [(C6H5N)P(O)H]2 and its zinc(II) complex

The new cyclic phosph(V)azane ligand (C₆H₅N)P(O)H]₂ (2) is obtained from the reaction between PCl₃ and PhNH₂ in toluene followed by controlled hydrolysis of the product in an H₂O–CHCl₃ solution. Compound 2 is the first example of P(V) dimer (µ-NC₆H₅)P(H)=O]₂, a P₂N₂ ring with two P(O)H moieties. The reaction of 2 with ZnCl₂ in a molar ratio of 1?:?1 in tetrahydrofuran yields the cyclophosph(V)azane complex Cl₂Zn(C₆H₅N)P(O)H]₂ (3) in which Zn–O bonds form directly between a cyclic phosph(V)azane ligand and Zn(II). The products have been characterized by infrared, multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P, ¹³C) NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.