A Versatile Approach toward Phosphinine−Phosphole-Based and Phosphinine−Phosphaferrocene-Based Tridentate Ligands

The case of a μ2-P aromatic phosphinine as a 4-electron donor forming σ- and π-three-center-two-electron bonds

Profound insight into the electronic structures of occasionally observed μ2-P bridging phosphinines remains limited. In this work, we present the isolation and X-ray crystallographic characterization of a dimeric Rh(I) phosphinine complex exhibiting both η1-P and μ2-P phosphinine coordination modes. Variable temperature NMR analyses and DOSY spectrum measurement confirmed the presence of two types of fluxional phenomena in solution: η1-P phosphinine bonding and dissociation, and η1-P and μ2-P equilibrium. DFT calculations in conjunction with single crystal X-ray diffraction studies suggest that the μ2-P phosphinines donate four electrons via a σ-lone pair and a high-lying π-type electron pair, instead of two σ-lone pairs, forming σ- and π-three-center-two-electron bonds. The stronger π-type interactions lead to longer P-C bonds and larger negative coordination chemical shifts for μ2-P phosphinines. However, the binding interactions of μ2-P are thermodynamically weaker than those of η1-P. Reactivity studies further confirm the labile nature of the μ2-P phosphinine bonds, which could be easily converted to an η1-P phosphinine.

Phosphorus centers of different hybridization in phosphaalkene-substituted phospholes

Phosphole-substituted phosphaalkenes (PPAs) of the general formula Mes*P=C(CH(3))-(C(4)H(2)P(Ph))-R 5 a-c (Mes*=2,4,6-tBu(3)Ph; R=2-pyridyl (a), 2-thienyl (b), phenyl (c)) have been prepared from octa-1,7-diyne-substituted phosphaalkenes by utilizing the Fagan-Nugent route. The presence of two differently hybridized phosphorus centers (σ(2) ,λ(3) and σ(3) ,λ(3)) in 5 offers the possibility to selectively tune the HOMO-LUMO gap of the compounds by utilizing the different reactivity of the two phosphorus heteroatoms. Oxidation of 5 a-c by sulfur proceeds exclusively at the σ(3) ,λ(3) -phosphorus atom, thus giving rise to the corresponding thioxophospholes 6 a-c. Similarly, 5 a is selectively coordinated by AuCl at the σ(3),λ(3) -phosphorus atom. Subsequent second AuCl coordination at the σ(2),λ(3) -phosphorus heteroatom results in a dimetallic species that is characterized by a gold-gold interaction that provokes a change in π conjugation. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical investigations show that the phosphaalkene and the phosphole both have a sizable impact on the electronic properties of the compounds. The presence of the phosphaalkene unit induces a decrease of the HOMO-LUMO gap relative to reference phosphole-containing π systems that lack a P=C substituent.

Synthesis and derivatization of highly-functionalized λ5-phospholes

A variety of peripheral functionalities are present in λ⁵-phospholes prepared by regiospecific [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of diphosphinoketenimines with electron-poor alkenes.

Zirconocene-mediated macrocyclizations of diynes containing di-o-methylphenylene spacers

The diynes 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-di(pent-1-ynyl)biphenyl (4) and 3,3'',5,5''-tetramethyl-4,4''-di(hex-1-ynyl)terphenyl (9) undergo coupling with Cp(2)Zr(eta(2)-Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(py) to give dimeric macrocycles in moderate yields (16% for 4 and 26% for 9).

Synthesis of phosphole-2,5-dicarboxylic acids via a [1,5]-shift of carbon dioxide around the phosphole nucleus

A new methodology for the synthesis of 1-P-functionalized phosphole-2,5-dicarboxylic acids is described. The carboxylic group is introduced through a two-step sequence which involves a preliminary attack of the phospholide unit onto CO(2) followed by a [1,5]-shift reaction of the CO(2)Li group around the phosphole nucleus. This approach was extended to the preparation of a new type of bidentate ligands. [reaction: see text]

Phosphole-containing pi-conjugated systems: from model molecules to polymer films on electrodes

Two series of 2,5-dipyridyl- and 2,5-dithienylphosphole derivatives containing sigma3- or sigma4-P atoms were prepared, and their optical (UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence spectra) and electrochemical properties were systematically evaluated. These physical properties depend mainly on the natures of the 2,5-substituents and of the phosphorus moiety, and they revealed that these compounds contain extended pi-conjugated systems. Structure-property relationships were established on the basis of these experimental data and ab initio calculations on the parent molecules. The limited aromatic character and low-lying LUMO of the phosphole ring appear to be crucial for achieving a highly delocalised pi system. Electrooxidation of 2,5-dithienylphosphole derivatives affords electroactive films with low optical band gaps. As observed for the corresponding monomers, the optical and electrochemical properties of the polymers can be varied over a wide range by modifying the nature of the phosphorus moiety.

Preparation and characterization of ruthenium(II) monophosphaferrocene complexes. Reactivity, dynamic solution behavior, and X-ray structure of [RuH(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(PCy(3))2(2-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene)]

The bis(dihydrogen) complex RuH(2)(H(2))(2)(PCy(3))(2) (1) reacts with 2-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene (L(1)) to give RuH(2)(H(2))(PCy(3))(2)(L(1)) (2). This dihydride-dihydrogen complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The exchange between the dihydrogen ligand and the two hydrides is characterized by a DeltaG() of 46.2 kJ/mol at 263 K. H/D exchange is readily observed when heating a C(7)D(8) solution of 2 (J(H-D) = 30 Hz). The H(2) ligand in 2 can be displaced by ethylene or carbon monoxide leading to the corresponding ethylene or carbonyl complexes. The reaction of 1 with 2 equiv of 3,4-dimethylphosphaferrocene (L(2)) yields the dihydride complex RuH(2)(PCy(3))(2)(L(2))(2) (5).