Synthesis and properties of oligo(biradicals) composed of 1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl units and benzyl‐type linkers

We have succeeded in catenating two sterically encumbered 1,3‐di‐t‐butyl‐2,4‐bis(2,4,6‐tri‐t‐butylphenyl)‐1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl units with a spacer 1,2‐(CH₂)₂C₆H₄ to obtain bis(biradicals) as considerably stable compounds. We have discussed physicochemical properties of the dimer, together with DFT calculations of model compounds. Spectroscopic data, redox properties, and X‐ray structures of the oligo(biradicals) derivatives including other spacers like 1,3‐(CH₂)₂C₆H₄, 1,4‐(CH₂)₂C₆H₄, and 1,3,5‐(CH₂)₃C₆H₃, reveal that the P‐heterocyclic biradical moieties interact through nonconjugative pathways. These properties of oligo(biradicals) will facilitate to design novel molecular systems for electronics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:404–411, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20625