Tetra- and Pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyl Complexes of Group 15 Elements

Coordination Chemistry of Bis-Cyclic Alkyl(Amino) Carbene (cAAC)-Supported Di-Phosphorus (P2 ): An Efficient Route to Donor Base-Stabilized Elusive Di-Phosphorus-Monoxide(P2 O)-Gold Complex

The stability and reactivity studies of heavier di-atomic group-15 congeners of alkynes, e. g., the di-phosphorus (P≡P) compounds have been the topic of huge interest because of their contrasting transient properties and lower stability compared to those of the stable molecular di-nitrogen (N≡N). Herein, we depict the reactivity studies of the bis-cAAC-stabilized di-phosphorus (P2 ) having an inversely polarized phosphaalkene nature featuring the C=P double bonds with Au(I)Cl. Both the mono-, and the di-aurated phosphaalkenes with the formulae [(Me2 -cAAC=P)2 (AuCl)] (2), and [(Me2 -cAAC=P)2 (AuCl)2 ] (3), respectively have been isolated in the solid state. Moreover, for the first time, we have been able to isolate the cAAC-stabilized tetra-aurated elusive di-phosphorus-monoxide (P2 O) with the formula [(Cy-cAAC=P)-O-(P=cAAC-Cy)(AuCl)4 ] (5) in presence of oxygen. Complexes 2-3, 5 have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and further studied by NMR spectroscopy. Our findings reveal significant elongation of the CcAAC -P bonds in 2-3, 5, and the presence of aurophilic interaction in 5. Quantum chemical calculations, including density functional theory (DFT), and energy decomposition analysis coupled with natural orbitals for chemical valence (EDA-NOCV) have been performed to study the electron densities distribution and nature of bonding in 2-3, 5.

Palladium(II) complexes of bis(diphosphene) with different coordination behaviors

Organophosphorus compounds possessing a P-P double-bond character are intriguing materials in coordination chemistry because it is possible to form a variety of coordination modes from the π-bond in addition to the lone pairs. We report herein the complexation of a new bidentate ligand, ethylene-tethered bis(binaphthyldiphosphene) (S,S)-2, with palladium(II) species. The reaction of (S,S)-2 with [Pd(π-allyl)(cod)](SbF₆) and PdCl₂(cod) afforded η¹/η¹-bis(diphosphene) complex 7 and η¹-diphosphene/η²-phosphanylphosphide complex 8, respectively. The latter was characterized by a chloride migration from the palladium atom to a phosphorus atom due to the high electron-accepting character of the PP moiety. Theoretical calculations revealed the migration process and nature of complex 8.

Phosphine-catalysed reductive coupling of dihalophosphanes

Classically tetraaryl diphosphanes have been synthesized through Wurtz-type reductive coupling of halophosphanes R₂PX or more recently, through the dehydrocoupling of phosphines R₂PH. Catalytic variants of the dehydrocoupling reaction have been reported, but are limited to R₂PH compounds. Using PEt₃ as a catalyst, we now show that TipPBr₂ (Tip = 2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂) is selectively coupled to give the dibromodiphosphane (TipPBr)₂ (1), a compound not accessible using classic Mg reduction. Surprisingly, when using DipPBr₂ (Dip = 2,6-iPr₃C₆H₃) in the PEt₃ catalysed reductive coupling the diphosphene (PDip)₂ (2) with a PP double was formed selectively. In benzene solutions (PDip)₂ has a half life time of ca. 28 days and can be utilized with NHCs to access NHC-phosphinidene adducts. To show that this protocol is more widely applicable, we show that Ph₂PCl and Mes₂PX (X = Cl, Br) are efficiently coupled using 10 mol% of PEt₃ to give (Ph₂P)₂ and (Mes₂P)₂, respectively. Control experiments show that [BrPEt₃]Br is a potential oxidation product in the catalytic cycle, which can be debrominated by Zn dust as a sacrificial reductant.