Mechanism and stereoselectivity of the aza-Wittig reaction between phosphazenes and aldehydes

The mechanism of the aza-Wittig reaction between phosphazenes and aldehydes has been studied computationally, using DFT methods (B3LYP/6-31G level), and experimentally. It has been found that the reaction consists of a tandem [2+2] cycloaddition-cycloreversion sequence in which pi and sigma orbitals as well as lone pairs are involved. Both [2+2] processes take place via thermally allowed supra-supra mechanisms. P-trimethyl-lambda(5)-phosphazenes are predicted to be more reactive than their P-triphenyl analogues. The stereochemical outcome of the whole reaction depends only on the second step, because conformational changes in the intermediate 1,3,2-lambda(5)-oxazaphosphazetidines have a much lower activation energy than the second [2+2] cycloreversion reaction. Preferential or exclusive formation of the corresponding (E)-imines is predicted.