Direct Conversion of Phosphonates to Phosphine Oxides: An Improved Synthetic Route to Phosphines Including the First Synthesis of Methyl JohnPhos

Surface-Assisted Selective Air Oxidation of Phosphines Adsorbed on Activated Carbon

Trialkyl- and triarylphosphines readily adsorb onto the surface of porous activated carbon (AC) even in the absence of solvents through van der Waals interactions between the lone electron pair and the AC surface. This process has been proven by solid-state NMR techniques. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that the AC enables the fast and selective oxidation of adsorbed phosphines to phosphine oxides at ambient temperature in air. In solution, trialkylphosphines are oxidized to a variety of P(V) species when exposed to the atmosphere, while neat or dissolved triarylphosphines cannot be oxidized with air. When the trialkyl- and triarylphosphines PnBu3 (1), PEt3, (2), PnOct3 (3), PMetBu2 (4), PCy3 (5), and PPh3 (6) are adsorbed in a mono- or submonolayer on the surface of AC, in the absence of a solvent and at ambient temperature, they are quantitatively oxidized to the adsorbed phosphine oxides, 1ox-6ox, once air is admitted. No formation of any unwanted P(V) side products or water adducts is observed. The phosphine oxides can then be recovered in good yields by washing them off of the AC. The oxidation is likely facilitated by a radical activation of molecular oxygen due to delocalized electrons on the aromatic surface coating of AC, as proven by ESR. This easy and inexpensive oxidation method renders hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizers unnecessary and is broadly applicable to sterically hindered and even to air-stable triarylphosphines. Phosphines adsorbed at lower surface coverages on AC oxidize at a faster rate. All oxidation reactions were monitored by solution- and solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Reductive Activation of Aryl Chlorides by Tuning the Radical Cation Properties of N-Phenylphenothiazines as Organophotoredox Catalysts

Aryl chlorides as substrates for arylations present a particular challenge for photoredox catalytic activation due to their strong C(sp2 )-Cl bond and their strong reduction potential. Electron-rich N-phenylphenothiazines, as organophotoredox catalysts, are capable of cleaving aryl chlorides simply by photoinduced electron transfer without the need for an additional electrochemical activation setup or any other advanced photocatalysis technique. Due to the extremely strong reduction potential in the excited state of the N-phenylphenothiazines the substrate scope is high and includes aryl chlorides both with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. We evidence this reactivity for photocatalytic borylations and phosphonylations. Advanced time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy in combination with electrochemistry was the key to elucidating and comparing the unusual photophysical properties not only of the N-phenylphenothiazines, but also of their cation radicals as the central intermediates in the photocatalytic cycle. The revealed photophysics allowed the excited-state and radical-cation properties to be fine-tuned by the molecular design of the N-phenylphenothiazines; this improved the photocatalytic activity.

Mechanochemical Phosphorylation of Acetylides Using Condensed Phosphates: A Sustainable Route to Alkynyl Phosphonates

In pursuit of a more sustainable route to phosphorus-carbon (P-C) bond-containing chemicals, we herein report that phosphonates can be prepared by mechanochemical phosphorylation of acetylides using polyphosphates in a single step, redox-neutral process, bypassing white phosphorus (P4) and other high-energy, environmentally hazardous intermediates. Using sodium triphosphate (Na5P3O10) and acetylides, alkynyl phosphonates 1 can be isolated in yields of up to 32%, while reaction of sodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7) and sodium carbide (Na2C2) engendered, in an optimized yield of 63%, ethynyl phosphonate 2, an easily isolable compound that can be readily converted to useful organophosphorus chemicals. Highly condensed phosphates like Graham's salt and bioproduced polyphosphate were also found to be compatible after reducing the chain length by grinding with orthophosphate. These results demonstrate the possibility of accessing organophosphorus chemicals directly from condensed phosphates and may offer an opportunity to move toward a "greener" phosphorus industry.

C-P bond formation of cyclophanyl-, and aryl halides via a UV-induced photo Arbuzov reaction: a versatile portal to phosphonate-grafted scaffolds

A new versatile method for the C–P bond formation of (hetero)aryl halides with trimethyl phosphite via a UV-induced photo-Arbuzov reaction, accessing diverse phosphonate-grafted arenes, heteroarenes and co-facially stacked cyclophanes under mild reaction conditions without the need for catalyst, additives, or base is developed. The UV-induced photo-Arbuzov protocol has a wide synthetic scope with large functional group compatibility exemplified by over 30 derivatives. Besides mono-phosphonates, di- and tri-phosphonates are accessible in good to excellent yields. Mild and transition metal-free reaction conditions consolidate this method's potential for synthesizing pharmaceutically relevant compounds and precursors of supramolecular nanostructured materials.

UV-induced C–P bond formation of aryl halides via photo Arbuzov reaction: a versatile portal to phosphonate-grafted scaffolds.

Nickel-Templated Replacement of Phosphine Substituents in a Tetradentate Bis(amido)bis(phosphine) Ligand

The replacement of phosphine substituents in nickel-bound PNNP ligands is reported as an alternative method for preparing multidentate phosphine ligands with alkyl substituents. Treatment of the previously reported bis(phosphide) complex {K(THF)_x}₂^2Ph[PNNP]Ni (2) with 2 equiv of MeI, ⁱPrI, and 1,3-dibromoethane formed alkyl-substituted complexes ^2Ph,2Me[PNNP]Ni (3), ^2Ph,2iPr[PNNP]Ni (4), and ^{2Ph,propylene}[PNNP]Ni (5), respectively. The stereoselectivity (racemic vs meso) of these reactions can be controlled by varying the reaction temperature. The racemic mixtures of products with the new alkyl substituents in an anti configuration were favored at lower temperatures, whereas a larger proportion of meso compounds was acquired at higher temperatures. Further treatment of 3 with KH resulted in selective elimination of the remaining phenyl groups rather than the methyl substituents, affording bis(methylphosphide) complex {K(THF)_x}₂^2Me[PNNP]Ni (6). Subsequent treatment of 6 with additional MeI formed ^4Me[PNNP]Ni (7), in which all four phenyl groups were replaced with methyl substituents. As a proof of concept, demetalation of the ligand from 7 was achieved using aqueous KCN to form a free dimethylphosphine-substituted ligand H₂^4Me[PNNP] (8), and 8 was subsequently coordinated to a different metal, using PdCl₂ to form ^4Me[PNNP]Pd (9). Unlike the clean elimination of phenyl substituents from 3, the reactions of KH with 4 and 5 exhibited competitive elimination of both alkyl and phenyl substituents and/or attenuated reactivity.

Univariate classification of phosphine ligation state and reactivity in cross-coupling catalysis

[Figure: see text].

The Aryne-Abramov Reaction as a 1,2-Benzdiyne Platform for the Generation and Solvent-Dependent Trapping of 3-Phosphonyl Benzynes

Synthetic methodology utilizing two aryne intermediates (i.e., a formal benzdiyne) enables the rapid generation of structurally complex molecules with diverse functionality. This report describes the sequential generation of two ortho-benzyne intermediates for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted aryl phosphonates. Aryl phosphonates have proven useful in medicinal chemistry and materials science, and the reported methodology provides a two-step route to functionally dense variants by way of 3-phosphonyl benzyne intermediates. The process begins with regioselective trapping of a 3-trifloxybenzyne intermediate by an O-silyl phosphite in an Abramov-like reaction to bond the strained Csp carbons with phosphorus and silicon. Standard aryne-generating conditions follow to convert the resulting 2-silylphenyl triflate into a 3-phosphonyl benzyne, which readily reacts with numerous aryne trapping reactants to form a variety of 2,3-difunctionalized aryl phosphonate products. DFT computational studies shed light on important mechanistic details and revealed that 3-phosphonyl benzynes are highly polarizable. Specifically, the distortion in the internal bond angles at each of the Csp atoms was strongly influenced by both the electronegativity of the phosphonate ester groups as well as the dielectric of the computational solvation model. These effects were verified experimentally as the regioselectivity of benzyl azide trapping increased with more electronegative esters and/or increasingly polar solvents. Conversely, replacing the conventional solvent, acetonitrile, with nonpolar alternatives provided attenuated or even inverted selectivities. Overall, these studies showcase new reactivity of benzyne intermediates and extend the aryne relay methodology to include organophosphonates. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that the regioselectivity of aryne trapping reactions could be tuned by simply changing the solvent.

Direct Synthesis of ortho-Halogenated Arylphosphonates via a Three-Component Reaction Involving Arynes

A three-component reaction involving arynes, trialkyl phosphites, and halides has been achieved under mild reaction conditions. This transformation provides a direct synthetic approach to ortho-halogenated arylphosphonates, which could be rapidly converted to diversely ortho-functionalized arylphosphorus compounds.

Manganese(ii) bromo- and iodo-complexes with phosphoramidate and phosphonate ligands: synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence

Phosphoramidates and phosphonates are suitable ligands for the preparation of tetrahedral mono- and polynuclear Mn(ii) complexes characterized by green luminescence, influenced by the symmetry of the compounds and by the P-bonded substituents.

Radical Arylation of Triphenyl Phosphite Catalyzed by Salicylic Acid: Mechanistic Investigations and Synthetic Applications

A straightforward and scalable methodology to synthesize diphenyl arylphosphonates at 20 °C within 1-2 h is reported using inexpensive SA as the catalytic promoter of the reaction. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction proceeds via radical-radical coupling, consistent with the so-called persistent radical effect. The reaction tolerated a wide range of functional groups and heteroaromatic moieties. The synthetic usefulness and the unique reactivity of the obtained phosphonates were demonstrated in different one-step transformations.

Phosphine Oxides from a Medicinal Chemist's Perspective: Physicochemical and in Vitro Parameters Relevant for Drug Discovery

Phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups such as phosphonates and phosphinates are established structural motifs that are still underrepresented in today's drug discovery projects, and only few examples can be found among approved drugs. In this account, the physicochemical and in vitro properties of phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups are reported and compared to more commonly used structural motifs in drug discovery. Furthermore, the impact on the physicochemical properties of a real drug scaffold is exemplified by a series of phosphorus-containing analogs of imatinib. We demonstrate that phosphine oxides are highly polar functional groups leading to high solubility and metabolic stability but occasionally at the cost of reduced permeability. We conclude that phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups are valuable polar structural elements and that they deserve to be considered as a routine part of every medicinal chemist's toolbox.

Continuous Flow Alcoholysis of Dialkyl H-Phosphonates with Aliphatic Alcohols

The continuous flow alcoholysis of dialkyl H-phosphonates by aliphatic alcohols in the absence of a catalyst was elaborated using a microwave (MW) reactor equipped with a flow cell. By the precise control of the reaction conditions, the synthesis could be fine-tuned towards dialkyl H-phosphonates with two different and with two identical alkyl groups. In contrast to the "traditional" batch alcoholysis, flow approaches required shorter reaction times, and the products became available at a larger scale.

Long sought synthesis of quaternary phosphonium salts from phosphine oxides: inverse reactivity approach

Reaction of Grignard reagents with chlorophosphonium salts provides a conceptually new synthesis of quaternary phosphonium salts from phosphine oxides by using inverse reactivity at phosphorus.

Pd-Catalyzed Conjunctive Cross-Coupling between Grignard-Derived Boron "Ate" Complexes and C(sp2) Halides or Triflates: NaOTf as a Grignard Activator and Halide Scavenger

Catalytic enantioselective conjunctive cross-couplings that employ Grignard reagents are shown to furnish an array of nonracemic chiral organoboronic esters in an efficient and highly selective fashion. The utility of sodium triflate in facilitating this reaction is two-fold: it enables "ate" complex formation and overcomes catalytic inhibition by halide ions.

Steric and Electronic Influences of Buchwald-Type Alkyl-JohnPhos Ligands

The electron-donating and steric properties of Buchwald-type ligands ([1,1'-biphenyl-2-yl]dialkylphosphine; R-JohnPhos, where R = Me, Et, (i)Pr, Cy, (t)Bu) were determined. The π-acidity and σ-donating properties of the R-JohnPhos ligands were quantified using a Cotton-Kraihanzel analysis of the Cr(0)(CO)5(R-JohnPhos) complexes. Somewhat surprisingly, the σ-donating abilities of the R-JohnPhos ligands follow the trend (t)Bu-JohnPhos < Et-JohnPhos < (i)Pr-JohnPhos < Cy-JohnPhos ≪ Me-JohnPhos. This ordering is proposed to arise from competition between the intrinsic electron-donating ability of the R groups (Me < Et < (i)Pr ≈ Cy < (t)Bu) and steric interactions (front and back strain) that decrease the electron-donating ability of the phosphine. X-ray crystallographic data of 22 metal complexes (general forms: trans-Cr(0)(CO)4(PR3)2, Pd(0)(PR3)2(η(2)-dba), and trans-Pd(II)(Cl)2(PR3)2) were also analyzed to help explain the electronic trends measured for the R-JohnPhos ligands. The R-JohnPhos ligands are exceptionally sensitive to back strain in comparison to typical phosphines, and the strong σ-donating ability of the Methyl-JohnPhos ligand is attributed to its ability to avoid both front strain and back strain. Consequently, the -PMe2 moiety allows for very short phosphorus-metal bond distances. Because of the sterically dominating o-biphenyl and close phosphorus-metal bond distances, MeJPhos maintains a large overall steric profile that is actually larger than that of CyJPhos as measured by percent buried volume (%V(bur)). Overall, the -PMe2 moiety is a powerful way to incorporate strong σ-donation into "designer" phosphines while retaining other advantageous structural and reactivity properties.

Platinum(0) olefin complexes of a bulky terphenylphosphine ligand. Synthetic, structural and reactivity studies

A novel terphenylphosphine PMe₂Ar^Dipp2 (1) (Dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) forms stable Pt(0) complexes with ethene and 3,3-dimethylbut-1-ene that behave as sources of the reactive Pt(PMe₂Ar^Dipp2) fragment.

The synthesis of heteroleptic phosphines

This perspective presents an overview of modern synthetic approaches to heteroleptic phosphines.