Early-transition-metal-mediated activation and transformation of white phosphorus

Mixed Phosphatetrahedranes

P-yramids: Tetrahedranes are highly strained molecules, and the all-carbon (CtBu)₄ and all-phosphorus species P₄ have been known for decades and centuries, respectively. Despite this, the mixed P/C tetrahedranes were unknown until recently when the syntheses of the phosphatetrahedranes P(CtBu)₃ and P₂ (CtBu)₂ were reported by the research groups of Cummins and Wolf.

Let's Make White Phosphorus Obsolete

Industrial and laboratory methods for incorporating phosphorus atoms into molecules within the framework of Green Chemistry are in their infancy. Current practice requires large inputs of energy, involves toxic intermediates, and generates substantial waste. Furthermore, a negligible fraction of phosphorus-containing waste is recycled which in turn contributes to negative environmental impacts, such as eutrophication. Methods that begin to address some of these drawbacks are reviewed, and some key opportunities to be realized by pursuing organophosphorus chemistry under the principles of Green Chemistry are highlighted. Methods used by nature, or in the chemistry of other elements such as silicon, are discussed as model processes for the future of phosphorus in chemical synthesis.

Aggregation and Degradation of White Phosphorus Mediated by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Nickel(0) Complexes

The reaction of zerovalent nickel compounds with white phosphorus (P₄) is a barely explored route to binary nickel phosphide clusters. Here, we show that coordinatively and electronically unsaturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) nickel(0) complexes afford unusual cluster compounds with P₁, P₃, P₅ and P₈ units. Using [Ni(IMes)₂] [IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene], electron‐deficient Ni₃P₄ and Ni₃P₆ clusters have been isolated, which can be described as superhypercloso and hypercloso clusters according to the Wade–Mingos rules. Use of the bulkier NHC complexes [Ni(IPr)₂] or [(IPr)Ni(η⁶‐toluene)] [IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] affords a closo‐Ni₃P₈ cluster. Inverse‐sandwich complexes [(NHC)₂Ni₂P₅] (NHC=IMes, IPr) with an aromatic cyclo‐P₅⁻ ligand were identified as additional products.

Nucleophilic Activation of Red Phosphorus for Controlled Synthesis of Polyphosphides

Reactions between red phosphorus (P_red) and potassium ethoxide in various organic solvents under reflux convert this rather inert form of the element to soluble polyphosphides. The activation is hypothesized to proceed via a nucleophilic attack by ethoxide on the polymeric structure of P_red, leading to disproportionation of the latter, as judged from observation of P(OEt)₃ in the reaction products. A range of solvents has been probed, revealing that different polyphosphide anions (P₇^3-, P₁₆^2-, P₂₁^3-, and P₅^-) can be stabilized depending on the combination of the boiling point and dielectric constant (polarity) of the solvent. The effectiveness of activation also depends on the nature of nucleophile, with the rate of reaction between P_red and KOR increasing in the order t-Bu < n-Hex < Et < Me, which is in agreement with the increasing order of nucleophilic strength. Thiolates and amides were also examined as potential activators, but the reaction with these nucleophiles were substantially slower; nonetheless, all reactions between P_red and NaSR yielded exclusively P₁₆^2- as a soluble polyphosphide product.

The reaction behavior of [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2:2-P2)] and [Cp′′Ta(CO)2(η4-P4)] towards hydroxide and tert-butyl nucleophiles

The reaction behavior of [Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] (1) and [Cp′′Ta(CO)₂(η⁴-P₄)] (2), respectively, towards the anions OH⁻ and ^tBu⁻ are reported, which leads to a selective functionalisation of one P atom.

Incorporation of coinage metal–NHC complexes into heptaphosphide clusters

A Me₃Si-protected P₇ cage reacts with N-heterocyclic-carbene complexes of coinage metals to yield a mononuclear Cu(i) complex featuring a Cu(η⁴-P₇) core and a trinuclear Au(i) complex with linearly coordinated metal ions attached to the P₇ cluster.

A bis(germylene) functionalized metal-coordinated polyphosphide and its isomerization

Pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₅)], was used as an air-stable source of polyphosphorus units to synthesize a novel bis(germylene)-functionalized transition metal polyphosphide complex, which further undergoes a unique constitutional isomerization.

Frontiers in the solution-phase chemistry of homoatomic group 15 Zintl clusters

Recent developments in the solution-phase chemistry of polypnictogen Zintl cluster are discussed, including the preparation of new clusters, wet synthetic methods, and their subsequent small molecule activations.

Proton transfer vs. oligophosphine formation by P–C/P–H σ-bond metathesis: decoding the competing Brønsted and Lewis type reactivities of imidazolio-phosphines

Cationic imidazolio-phosphines show two-sided reactivity towards bases, undergoing either Brønsted-type proton transfer to imidazolio-phosphides or autocatalytic Lewis acid/base reaction cascades to yield P-free imidazolium ions and oligophosphines.

[3+2] Fragmentation of a Pentaphosphido Ligand by Cyanide

The activation of white phosphorus (P4 ) by transition-metal complexes has been studied for several decades, but the functionalization and release of the resulting (organo)phosphorus ligands has rarely been achieved. Herein we describe the formation of rare diphosphan-1-ide anions from a P5 ligand by treatment with cyanide. Cobalt diorganopentaphosphido complexes have been synthesized by a stepwise reaction sequence involving a low-valent diimine cobalt complex, white phosphorus, and diorganochlorophosphanes. The reactions of the complexes with tetraalkylammonium or potassium cyanide afford a cyclotriphosphido cobaltate anion 5 and 1-cyanodiphosphan-1-ide anions [R2 PPCN]- (6-R). The molecular structure of a related product 7 suggests a novel reaction mechanism, where coordination of the cyanide anion to the cobalt center induces a ligand rearrangement. This is followed by nucleophilic attack of a second cyanide anion at a phosphorus atom and release of the P2 fragment.

Functionalization of Pentaphosphorus Cations by Complexation

The chemistry of polyphosphorus cations has rapidly developed in recent years, but their coordination behavior has remained mostly unexplored. Herein, we describe the reactivity of [P5 R2 ]+ cations with cyclopentadienyl metal complexes. The reaction of [CpAr Fe(μ-Br)]2 (CpAr =C5 (C6 H4 -4-Et)5 ) with [P5 R2 ][GaCl4 ] (R=iPr and 2,4,6-Me3 C6 H2 (Mes)) afforded bicyclo[1.1.0]pentaphosphanes (1-R, R=iPr and Mes), showing an unsymmetric "butterfly" structure. The same products 1-R were formed from K[CpAr ] and [P5 R2 ][GaCl4 ]. The cationic complexes [CpAr Co(η4 -P5 R2 )][GaCl4 ] (2-R[GaCl4 ], R=iPr and Cy) and [(CpAr Ni)2 (η3:3 -P5 R2 )][GaCl4 ] (3-R[GaCl4 ]) were obtained from [P5 R2 ][GaCl4 ] and [CpAr M(μ-Br)]2 (M=Co and Ni) as well as by using low-valent "CpAr MI " sources. Anion metathesis of 2-R[GaCl4 ] and 3-R[GaCl4 ] was achieved with Na[BArF24 ]. The P5 framework of the resulting salts 2-R[BArF24 ] can be further functionalized with nucleophiles. Thus reactions with [Et4 N]X (X=CN and Cl) give unprecedented cyano- and chloro-functionalized complexes, while organo-functionalization was achieved with CyMgCl.

Direct functionalization of white phosphorus with anionic dicarbenes and mesoionic carbenes: facile access to 1,2,3-triphosphol-2-ides

A series of unique C₂P₃-ring compounds [(ADC^Ar)P₃] (4) are readily accessible in an almost quantitative yield by the direct functionalization of white phosphorus (P₄) with appropriate anionic dicarbenes [Li(ADC^Ar)].

A series of unique C₂P₃-ring compounds [(ADC^Ar)P₃] (ADC^Ar = ArC{(DippN)C}₂; Dipp = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃; Ar = Ph 4a, 3-MeC₆H₄4b, 4-MeC₆H₄4c, and 4-Me₂NC₆H₄4d) are readily accessible in an almost quantitative yield by the direct functionalization of white phosphorus (P₄) with appropriate anionic dicarbenes [Li(ADC^Ar)]. The formation of 1,2,3-triphosphol-2-ides (4a–4d) suggests unprecedented [3 + 1] fragmentation of P₄ into P₃⁺ and P^–. The P₃⁺ cation is trapped by the (ADC^Ar)^– to give 4, while the putative P^– anion reacts with additional P₄ to yield the Li₃P₇ species, a useful reagent in the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. Remarkably, the P₄ fragmentation is also viable with the related mesoionic carbenes (iMICs^Ar) (iMIC^Ar = ArC{(DippN)₂CCH}, i stands for imidazole-based) giving rise to 4. DFT calculations reveal that both the C₃N₂ and C₂P₃-rings of 4 are 6π-electron aromatic systems. The natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses indicate that compounds 4 are mesoionic species featuring a negatively polarized C₂P₃-ring. The HOMO–3 of 4 is mainly the lone-pair at the central phosphorus atom that undergoes σ-bond formation with a variety of metal-electrophiles to yield complexes [{(ADC^Ar)P₃}M(CO)_n] (M = Fe, n = 4, Ar = Ph 5a or 4-Me-C₆H₄5b; M = Mo, n = 5, Ar = Ph 6; M = W, n = 5, Ar = 4-Me₂NC₆H₄7).

A μ-Phosphido Diiron Dumbbell in Multiple Oxidation States

The reaction of the ferrous complex [LFe(NCMe)2 ](OTf)2 (1), which contains a macrocyclic tetracarbene as ligand (L), with Na(OCP) generates the OCP- -ligated complex [LFe(PCO)(CO)]OTf (2) together with the dinuclear μ-phosphido complex [(LFe)2 P](OTf)3 (3), which features an unprecedented linear Fe-(μ-P)-Fe motif and a "naked" P-atom bridge that appears at δ=+1480 ppm in the 31 P NMR spectrum. 3 exhibits rich redox chemistry, and both the singly and doubly oxidized species 4 and 5 could be isolated and fully characterized. X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic studies, in combination with DFT computations provide a comprehensive electronic structure description and show that the Fe-(μ-P)-Fe core is highly covalent and structurally invariant over the series of oxidation states that are formally described as ranging from FeIII FeIII to FeIV FeIV . 3-5 now add a higher homologue set of complexes to the many systems with Fe-(μ-O)-Fe and Fe-(μ-N)-Fe core structures that are prominent in bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis.

Heavier pnictogens - treasures for optical electronic and reactivity tuning

We highlight recent advances in organopnictogen chemistry contrasting the properties of lighter and heavier pnictogens. Exploring new bonding situations, discovering unprecedented reactivities and producing fascinating opto-electronic materials are some of the most prominent directions of current organopnicogen research. Expanding the chemical toolbox towards the heavier group 15 elements will continue to create new opportunities to tailor molecular properties for small molecule activation/reactivity and materials applications alike. This frontier article illustrates the elemental substitution approach in selected literature examples.

The Chemistry of Yellow Arsenic

The generation and handling of the light-sensitive and metastable yellow arsenic (As₄) is extremely challenging. In view of recent breakthroughs in synthesizing As₄ storage materials and transfer reagents, the more intensive use of yellow arsenic as a source for further reactions can be expected. Given these aspects, the current stage of knowledge of the direct use of As₄ is comprehensively summarized in the present review, which lists the activation of As₄ by main group elements as well as transition metal compounds (including the f-block elements). Moreover, it also partly compares the reaction outcomes in relation to the corresponding reactions of P₄. The possibility of using alternative sources for generating arsenic moieties and compounds is also discussed. The release of As₄ molecules from precursor compounds and the use of transfer reagents for polyarsenic entities open up new synthetic pathways to avoid the direct generation of yellow arsenic solutions and to ensure its smooth usage for subsequent reactions.

Ruthenium mediated halogenation of white phosphorus: synthesis and reactivity of the unprecedented P4Cl2 moiety

The transition metal mediated functionalization of P4 is an approach to develop a more sustainable production of organophosphorus compounds. In this paper a ruthenium complex is presented, in which the P4 unit can be selectively converted into new P4R2 molecules in a two-step synthesis. The unsaturated 16 electron species [RuX(Cp*)(PCy3)] (Cp* = C5Me5, X = Cl, Br) reacts with a half equivalent of P4 affording a bimetallic complex bearing a planar P4X2 moiety as a ligand. The latter eliminates chloride anions under reduction with magnesium. In this process the butadiene-like P4Cl2 ligand is converted into two weakly bound P2 units which bridge the ruthenium centers. In the presence of n-BuLi, the P4Cl2 unit can be selectively alkylated, yielding the planar organophosphorus ligand P4nBu2. A detailed analysis of the electronic properties and solid state structures of the compounds combined with DFT calculations and AIM analyses demonstrate that the P4 unit in all complexes acts as an electronically highly flexible, non-innocent ligand.

Samarium Polyarsenides Derived from Nanoscale Arsenic

Zintl phases of arsenic and molecular compounds containing Zintl-type polyarsenide ions are of fundamental interest in basic and applied sciences. Unfortunately, the most obvious and reactive arsenic source for the preparation of defined molecular polyarsenide compounds, yellow arsenic As₄ , is very inconvenient to prepare and neither storable in pure form nor easy to handle. Herein, we present the synthesis and reactivity of elemental As⁰ nanoparticles (As⁰ _Nano , d=7.2±1.8 nm), which were successfully utilized as a reactive arsenic source in reductive f-element chemistry. Starting from [Cp*₂ Sm] (Cp*=η⁵ -C₅ Me₅ ), the samarium polyarsenide complexes [(Cp*₂ Sm)₂ (μ-η² :η² -As₂ )] and [(Cp*₂ Sm)₄ As₈ ] were obtained from As⁰ _nano , thereby generating the largest molecular polyarsenide of the f-elements and circumventing the use of As₄ in preparative chemistry.

Challenges and solutions in phosphinate chemistry

Several major challenges still remain in organophosphorus chemistry. Organophosphorus compounds are currently synthesized from phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), even though the final consumer products (such as pesticides, flame-retardants, extractants) do not contain reactive phosphorus-chlorine bonds. In order to bypass phosphorus trichloride, significant interest has been devoted to functionalizing elemental phosphorus (P4, the precursor to PCl3), red phosphorus (Pred), or phosphine (PH3). Yet, phosphinates (ROP(O)H2) are already available on an industrial scale and are the most environmentally benign, but their use as phosphorus trichloride replacements has been completely overlooked until a few years ago. An overview of some of the methodologies developed in my laboratory for P–C and P–O bond-forming reactions through phosphinate chemistry, as well as some selected applications, are presented. Another significant challenge remains the synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds. My group’s recent progress in this area is also discussed. Based on menthol as an inexpensive chiral auxiliary, various menthyl phosphinates can be synthesized. These phosphinates are precursor to P-stereogenic phosphines through well-established literature transformations.

Hydrogenation reaction pathways in chemistry of white phosphorus

Approaches for preparation of P–H bond containing derivatives directly from white phosphorus are summarized in this microreview. Transfer hydrogenation of P4 involving the activation and reaction of white phosphorus in the coordination sphere of transition metal complexes is a convenient and powerful route to the hydrogenated compounds. Electrochemical methods have also become popular in modern synthetic chemistry; these provide easy access to highly reactive intermediates, which can be selectively generated in situ and used for subsequent synthetic processes. These electrochemical routes provide efficient and environmentally safe methods for preparation of phosphorus derivatives bearing P–H bond. The mechanisms of the proposed processes and the nature of the intermediates formed in the overall electrochemical process are disclosed. The methods elaborated operate under the principals of “green chemistry” and can be considered as efficient alternatives to some classical pathways.

Small molecule activation by boron-containing heterocycles

Most of the chemical and biological processes involving the fixation and transformation of small molecules have long been exclusive for metal complexes. Meanwhile, the last decades have seen a significant advance in main group chemistry that mimics transition-metal complexes, among which various boron-containing systems have been successful in mediating the small molecule activation. In this review, we focus on boron-containing heterocycles enabling the activation of σ- and π-bonds in small molecules, in conjunction with the proposed mechanisms.

Modern applications of low-valent early transition metals in synthesis and catalysis

Low-valent early transition metals are often intrinsically highly reactive as a result of their strong propensity toward oxidation to more stable high-valent states. Harnessing these highly reducing complexes for productive reactivity is potentially powerful for C-C bond construction, organic reductions, small-molecule activation and many other reactions that offer orthogonal chemoselectivity and/or regioselectivity patterns to processes promoted by late transition metals. Recent years have seen many exciting new applications of low-valent metals through building new catalytic and/or multicomponent reaction manifolds out of classical reactivity patterns. In this Review, we survey new methods that employ early transition metals and invoke low-valent precursors or intermediates in order to identify common themes and strategies in synthesis and catalysis.

Visible-light-mediated direct synthesis of phosphorotrithioates as potent anti-inflammatory agents from white phosphorus

The reaction of P₄ with arylthiols in the presence of Na₂–eosin Y under visible light gave phosphorotrithioites. Subsequent oxidation of phosphorotrithioites produced phosphorotrithioates. The phosphorotrithioate 3f presents good inflammation reducing characteristics.

From an Fe2P3 complex to FeP nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts for water-splitting

In large-scale, hydrogen production from water-splitting represents the most promising solution for a clean, recyclable, and low-cost energy source. The realization of viable technological solutions requires suitable efficient electrochemical catalysts with low overpotentials and long-term stability for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) based on cheap and nontoxic materials. Herein, we present a unique molecular approach to monodispersed, ultra-small, and superiorly active iron phosphide (FeP) electrocatalysts for bifunctional OER, HER, and overall water-splitting. They result from transformation of a molecular iron phosphide precursor, containing a [Fe2P3] core with mixed-valence FeIIFeIII sites bridged by an asymmetric cyclo-P(2+1) 3- ligand. The as-synthesized FeP nanoparticles act as long-lasting electrocatalysts for OER and HER with low overpotential and high current densities that render them one of the best-performing electrocatalysts hitherto known. The fabricated alkaline electrolyzer delivered low cell voltage with durability over weeks, representing an attractive catalyst for large-scale water-splitting technologies.

Photochemical reactions of triplet phenylphosphinidene with carbon monoxide and nitric oxide

Here we report the photochemical reactions of triplet phenylphosphinidene with carbon monoxide and nitric oxide. The photolysis of phenylphosphirane in carbon monoxide-doped matrices enabled the first spectroscopic identification of phenylphosphaketene, the hitherto unreported phosphorus analogue of phenyl isocyanate. The hitherto undisclosed phosphinimine-N-oxyl radical formed upon UV irradiation of the phenylphosphinidene with nitric oxide in argon matrices at 10 K.

Construction of alkyl-substituted pentaphosphido ligands in the coordination sphere of cobalt

Rare mono- and diorganopentaphosphido cobalt complexes are accessible by P-P condensation using the unprecedented, reactive cobalt-gallium tetraphosphido complex [K(dme)₂{(^MesBIAN)Co(μ-η⁴:η²-P₄)Ga(nacnac)}] (2). Compound 2 was prepared in good yield by reaction of [K(Et₂O){(^MesBIAN)Co(η⁴-1,5-cod)}] [1, BIAN = bis(mesitylimino)acenaphthene diimine, cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene] with [Ga(nacnac)(η²-P₄)] (nacnac = CH[CMeN(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂). Reactions with R₂PCl (R = iPr, tBu, and Cy) selectively afford [(^MesBIAN)Co(cyclo-P₅R₂)] (3a-c), which feature η⁴-coordinated 1,1-diorganopentaphosphido ligands. The mechanism of formation of these species has been studied by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. In the case of 3a (R = iPr), it was possible to identify the intermediate [(^MesBIAN)Co(μ-η⁴:η²-P₅iPr₂)Ga(nacnac)] (4) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A related, monosubstituted organopentaphosphido cobalt complex [(^MesBIAN)Co(μ-η⁴:η¹-P₅ tBu)GaCl(nacnac)] (5) was isolated by reacting dichloroalkylphosphane tBuPCl₂ with 2. Heterobimetallic complexes such as 2 thus may enable the targeted construction of a range of new metal-coordinated polyphosphorus frameworks by P-P condensation.

The new diphosphanylphosphido complexes of tungsten(vi) and molybdenum(vi). Their synthesis, structures and properties

We report on the reactivity of R2P-P(Li)-PR'2 (R = tBu, iPr, R' = NEt2, iPr) towards diimido complexes [(dippN)2MCl2·dme] (M = Mo, W and dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). A series of new complexes with diphosphanylphosphido ligands R2P-P-PR'2 were isolated. The solid-state structures of [(dippN)2M(Cl)(1,2-η-iPr2P-P-PiPr2)] (2Mo and 2W) and [(dippN)2M(Cl){1,2-η-tBu2P-P-P(NEt2)2}] (3Mo and 3W) were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and indicate a side-on geometry of the R2P-P-PR'2 moiety. 3W and 3Mo are the first triphosphorus complexes with the amido ligand NEt2 on the P atom. [(dippN)2M(Cl)(1,2-η-tBu2P-P-PtBu2)] (1Mo and 1W) and 3Mo and 3W display similar side-on geometry in solution and in the solid state. By contrast, 2Mo and 2W reveal a dynamic behavior in solution. For the first time, the reactivity of diphosphanylphosphido complexes towards different nucleophiles was studied. The complexes react with the phosphorus nucleophile Ph2PLi, yielding phosphanylphosphinidene complexes [(dippN)2M(Cl)(η2-P-PR2)]- Li+ (M = Mo, W) together with related diphosphanes R'2P-PPh2. Carbon nucleophile MeLi does not yield [(dippN)2M(Cl)(η2-P-PR2)]- Li+ but substitutes a Cl ligand at the metal center. Moreover, we compare the coordination of the R2P-P-PR'2 moiety to different metal centers based on DFT methods.