Bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC)-supported phosphinidenes

Herein, the synthesis and characterization of bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC)-stabilized phosphinidenes (1-4) are reported. Compounds 1-3 were obtained by reacting trihalophosphine [PX3, X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3)] with BICAAC in THF. A BICAAC-stabilized bis-phosphinidene (4) was obtained from the reduction of compound 2. All four compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations indicated the predominant C(carbene)P double bond characteristic in compounds 1-4.

Taming PH3: State of the Art and Future Directions in Synthesis

Appetite for reactions involving PH₃ has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH₃ cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal phosphides with acids, thus avoiding pressurized cylinders and specialized equipment. In this perspective we highlight current trends in forming new P–C/P–OC bonds with PH₃ and discuss the challenges involved with selectivity and product separation encumbering these reactions. We highlight the reactivity of PH₃ with main group reagents, building on the early pioneering work with transition metal complexes and PH₃. Additionally, we highlight the recent renewal of interest in alkali metal sources of H₂P^– which are proving to be useful synthons for chemistry across the periodic table. Such MPH₂ sources are being used to generate the desired products in a more controlled fashion and are allowing access to unexplored phosphorus-containing species.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Coordinated M(II) (M = Yb, Sm, Ca) Bisamides: Expanding the Limits of Intermolecular Alkene Hydrophosphination

A series of NHC-stabilized amido compounds (NHC)_nM[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (M = Yb(II), Sm(II), Ca(II); n = 1, 2) showed remarkable catalytic efficiency in addition of PhPH₂ and PH₃ to alkenes under mild conditions and low catalyst loading. The effect of σ-donor capacity of NHCs on catalytic activity in hydrophosphination of styrene with PhPH₂ and PH₃ was revealed. For the series of three-coordinate complexes 1-4M, a tendency to increase the catalytic activity with growth of σ-donating strength of the carbene ligand was clearly demonstrated. The complex (NHC)₂Sm[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (NHC = 1,3-diisopropyl-2H-imidazole-2-ylidene) (5Sm) proved to be the most efficient catalyst, which enabled hardly realizable transformations such as PhPH₂ addition across internal C═C bonds of norbornene and cis- and trans-stilbenes, providing the highest reaction rate for addition of PH₃ to styrene. Excellent regio- and chemoselectivities of alkylation of PH₃ with styrenes allow for a selective and good-yield synthesis of desired organophosphines─either primary, secondary, or tertiary. Stepwise alkylation of PH₃ with various substituted styrenes can be efficiently applied as an approach to nonsymmetric secondary phosphines. The rate equation of the addition of styrene to PH₃ promoted by 5Sm was found: rate = k[styrene]¹[5Sm]¹.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Phosphinidenide Complexes as Hydroboration Catalysts

The reactions of the N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidene adducts (NHC)PSiMe₃ and (NHC)PH with the dinuclear ruthenium and osmium complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)MCl₂]₂ (M = Ru, Os) afforded the half-sandwich complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene){(NHC)P}MCl] and [(η⁶-p-cymene){(NHC)PH}MCl₂] with two- and three-legged piano-stool geometries, respectively (NHC = IDipp, IMes; IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene; IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). The complexes were initially tested as precatalysts for the hydroboration of benzonitrile, and the most active species, the ruthenium complex [(η⁶-p-cymene){(IMes)P}RuCl], was further used for the efficient hydroboration of a wide range (ca. 50 substrates) of nitriles, carboxylic esters, and carboxamides in neat pinacolborane (HBpin) under comparatively mild reaction conditions (60-80 °C, 3-5 mol % catalyst loading). Preliminary mechanistic and kinetic studies are reported, and stoichiometric reactions with HBpin indicate the initial formation of the monohydride complex [(η⁶-p-cymene){(IMes)P}RuH] as the putative catalytically active species.

Synthesis of the open-shell 3d-transition metal(II) bis(phosphinidenide) [Mn{P(sIDipp)}2]

The synthesis and characterization of the first homoleptic open-shell transition metal phosphinidenide is presented. By reacting [MnL₂] (L = -N(SiMe₃)₂) with [(sIDipp)PK] (sIDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-imidazolidine-2-ylidene), the formation of [Mn{P(sIDipp)}₂] instead of the initially expected adduct [KMn{P(sIDipp)}L₂] is observed. Interestingly, a solvent change from toluene to n-pentane leads to the formation of [(sIDipp)PK₂(Et₂O)₄][MnL₃] after work-up, which can be seen as intermediate in the formation process of [Mn{P(sIDipp)}₂]. Contrary to manganese, the highly reducing phosphinidenide [(sIDipp)P]^- cannot be stabilized in an analogous fashion by coordination to a low-coordinate high-spin iron(II) center.

Application of ferrocene-bridged N-heterocyclic carbene stabilised bis-phosphinidenes in Sn(II) complexation

Two new bidentate ferrocene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene-phospinidenes) (bisNHCPs) were successfully isolated by treating 1,1'-bis-(dichlorophosphine)ferrocene with N-heterocyclic carbenes, followed by dechlorination using sodium naphthalenide. The bisNHCPs were used in complexation of various Sn(II) halides and Sn(II) bistriflate (SnX₂ with X = Cl, Br, I, OTf). Transmetalation to a CuCl complex and Sn(II) transfer to a bisimine was performed to investigate the stannyliumylidenes' reactivity.

Group 15 and 16 Nitrene-Like Pnictinidenes

Pnictinidenes are an increasingly relevant species in main group chemistry and generally exhibit proclivity for the triplet electronic ground state. However, the elusive singlet electronic states are often desired for chemical applications. We predict the singlet-triplet energy differences (ΔE_ST =E_Singlet -E_Triplet ) of simple group 15 and 16 substituted pnictinidenes (Pn-R; Pn=P, As, Sb, or Bi) with highly reliable focal-point analyses targeting the CCSDTQ/CBS level of theory. The only cases we predict to have favorable singlet states are P-PH₂ (-3.2 kcal mol^-1 ) and P-NH₂ (-0.2 kcal mol^-1 ). ΔE_ST trends are discussed in light of the geometric predictions as well as qualitative natural bond order analysis to elucidate some of the important electronic structure features. Our work provides a rigorous benchmark for the ΔE_ST of fundamental Pn-R moieties and provides a firm foundation for the continued study of heavier pnictinidenes.

Isoselective Polymerization of rac-Lactide by Aluminum Complexes of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Phosphinidene Adducts

The N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidene adducts (NHC)PH were reacted with AlMe3 in toluene to afford the monoaluminum complexes [{(IDipp)PH}AlMe3 ] and [{(IMes)PH}AlMe3 ] (IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). In contrast, the dialuminum complex [{(Me IMes)PH}(AlMe3 )2 ] was obtained for Me IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene. These complexes served as initiators for the efficient ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide in toluene at 60 °C. High degrees of isoselectivity were found for the poly(rac-lactide) obtained in the presence of the monoaluminum complexes (Pm up to 0.92, Tm up to 191 °C), whereas almost atactic polymers were produced by the dialuminum complex. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal that the polymerization proceeds via a coordination-insertion mechanism with the carbene-phosphinidene ligands acting as stereodirecting groups.

A Stable N-Heterocyclic Silylene with a 1,1'-Ferrocenediyl Backbone

The N-heterocyclic silylene [{Fe(η5 -C5 H4 -NDipp)2 }Si] (1DippSi, Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) shows an excellent combination of pronounced thermal stability and high reactivity towards small molecules. It reacts readily with CO2 and N2 O, respectively affording (1DippSiO2 )2 C and (1DippSiO)2 as follow-up products of the silanone 1DippSiO. Its reactions with H2 O, NH3 , and FcPH2 (Fc=ferrocenyl) furnish the respective oxidative addition products 1DippSi(H)X (X=OH, NH2 , PHFc). Its reaction with H3 BNH3 unexpectedly results in B-H, instead of N-H, bond activation, affording 1DippSi(H)(BH2 NH3 ). DFT results suggest that dramatically different mechanisms are operative for these H-X insertions.

Solid-State Isolation of Cyclic Alkyl(Amino) Carbene (cAAC)-Supported Structurally Diverse Alkali Metal-Phosphinidenides

Cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC)-supported, structurally diverse alkali metal-phosphinidenides 2-5 of general formula ((cAAC)P-M)_n (THF)_x [2: M=K, n=2, x=4; 3: M=K, n=6, x=2; 4: M=K, n=4, x=4; 5: M=Na, n=3, x=1] have been synthesized by the reduction of cAAC-stabilized chloro-phosphinidene cAAC=P-Cl (1) utilizing metallic K or KC₈ and Na-naphthalenide as reducing agents. Complexes 2-5 have been structurally characterized in solid state by NMR studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The proposed mechanism for the electron transfer process has been well-supported by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The solid state oligomerization process has been observed to be largely dependent on the ionic radii of alkali metal ions, steric bulk of cAAC ligands and solvation/de-solvation/recombination of the dimeric unit [(cAAC)P-M(THF)_x ]₂ .

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Analogues of Nucleophilic Phosphinidene Transition Metal Complexes

Chloride abstraction from the complexes [(η6 -p-cymene){(IDipp)P}MCl] (2 a, M=Ru; 2 b, M=Os) and [(η5 -C5 Me5 ){(IDipp)P}IrCl] (3 b, IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) with sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (NaBArF ) in the presence of trimethylphosphine (PMe3 ), 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (Me IMe) or carbon monoxide (CO) afforded the complexes [(η6 -p-cymene){(IDipp)P}M(PMe3 )]BArF ] (4 a, M=Ru; 4 b, M=Os), [(η6 -p-cymene){(IDipp)P}Os(Me IMe)]BArF ] (5) and [(η5 -C5 Me5 ){(IDipp)P}IrL][BArF ] (6, L=PMe3 ; 7, L=Me IMe; 8, L=CO). These cationic N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidene complexes feature very similar structural and spectroscopic properties as prototypic nucleophilic arylphosphinidene complexes such as low-field 31 P NMR resonances and short metal-phosphorus double bonds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the metal-phosphorus bond can be described in terms of an interaction between a triplet [(IDipp)P]+ cation and a triplet metal complex fragment ligand with highly covalent σ- and π-contributions. Crystals of the C-H activated complex 9 were isolated from solutions containing the PMe3 complex, and its formation can be rationalized by PMe3 dissociation and formation of a putative 16-electron intermediate [(η5 -C5 Me5 )Ir{P(IDipp)}I][BArF ], which undergoes C-H activation at one of the Dipp isopropyl groups and addition along the iridium-phosphorus bond to afford an unusual η3 -benzyl coordination mode.

Stretching the P-C Bond. Variations on Carbenes and Phosphanes

The stability and the structure of adducts formed between four substituted phosphanes (PX3, X:H, F, Cl, and NMe2) and 11 different carbenes have been investigated by DFT calculations. In most cases, the structure of the adducts depends strongly on the stability of the carbene itself, exhibiting a linear correlation with the increasing dissociation energy of the adduct. Carbenes of low stability form phosphorus ylides (F), which can be described as phosphane → carbene adducts supported with some back-bonding. The most stable carbenes, which have high energy lone pair, do not form stable F-type structures but carbene → phosphane adducts (E-type structure), utilizing the low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the phosphane (with electronegative substituents), benefiting also from the carbene-pnictogen interaction. Especially noteworthy is the case of PCl3, which has an extremely low energy LUMO in its T-shaped form. Although this PCl3 structure is a transition state of rather high energy, the large stabilization energy of the complex makes this carbene-phosphane adduct stable. Most interestingly, in case of carbenes with medium stability both F- and E-type structures could be optimized, giving rise to bond-stretch isomerism. Likewise, for phosphorus ylides (F), the stability of the adducts G formed from carbenes with hypovalent phosphorus (PX-phosphinidene) is in a linear relationship with the stabilization of the carbene. Adducts of carbenes with hypervalent phosphorus (PX5) are the most stable when X is electronegative, and the carbene is highly nucleophilic.

Low-Valent Group 14 Phosphinidenide Complexes [({SIDipp}P)2 M] Exhibit P-M pπ-pπ Interaction (M=Ge, Sn, Pb)

Herein, the synthesis of new low-valent Group 14 phosphinidenide complexes [({SIDipp}P)2 M] exhibiting P-M pπ-pπ interactions (SIDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolidin-2-ylidene, M=Ge, Sn, Pb), is presented. These compounds were investigated by means of structural, spectroscopic, and quantum-chemical methods. Furthermore, the monosubstituted compounds [(SIDippP)MX]2 (M=Sn, X=Cl; M=Pb, X=Br) are presented, which show dimeric structures instead of multiple bonding interaction.

Chalcogen complexes of anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes

Chalcogen complexes of anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes were isolated as lithium salts and their protonation and oxidation were studied.

New Insights in Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry with Azides

The geminal frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) tBu2 PCH2 BPh2 (1) reacts with phenyl-, mesityl-, and tert-butyl azide affording, respectively, six, five, and four-membered rings as isolable products. DFT calculations revealed that the formation of all products proceeds via the six-membered ring structure, which is thermally stable with an N-phenyl group, but rearranges when sterically more encumbered Mes-N3 and tBu-N3 are used. The reaction of 1 with Me3 Si-N3 is believed to follow the same course, yet subsequent N2 elimination occurs to afford a four-membered heterocycle (5), which can be considered as a formal FLP-trimethylsilylnitrene adduct. Compound 5 reacts with hydrochloric acid or tetramethylammonium fluoride and showed frustrated Lewis pair reactivity towards phenylisocyanate.

Treatment of Silylene-Phosphinidene with Chalcogens Resulted Exclusively in the Formation of Silicon-Bonded Chalcogens

Chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes LSi(E)-P-Me cAAC (E=S (1); Se (2); Te (3); L=PhC(NtBu)2 ; Me cAAC=C(CH2 )(CMe2 )2 N-2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 )) were synthesized from the reactions of silylene-phosphinidene LSi-P-Me cAAC (A) with elemental chalcogens. All the compounds reported herein have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, elemental analyses, LIFDI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Furthermore, the regeneration of silylene-phosphinidene (A) was achieved from the reactions of 2-3 with L'Al (L'=HC{(CMe)(2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 N)}2 ). Theoretical studies on chalcogen-bonded silicon phosphinidenes indicate that the Si-E (E=S, Se, Te) bond can be best represented as charge-separated electron-sharing σ-bonding interaction between [LSi-P-Me cAAC]+ and E- . The partial double-bond character of Si-E is attributed to significant hyperconjugative donation from the lone pair on E- to the Si-N and Si-P σ*-molecular orbitals.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts of Main Group Elements and Their Use as Ligands in Transition Metal Chemistry

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are nowadays ubiquitous and indispensable in many research fields, and it is not possible to imagine modern transition metal and main group element chemistry without the plethora of available NHCs with tailor-made electronic and steric properties. While their suitability to act as strong ligands toward transition metals has led to numerous applications of NHC complexes in homogeneous catalysis, their strong σ-donating and adaptable π-accepting abilities have also contributed to an impressive vitalization of main group chemistry with the isolation and characterization of NHC adducts of almost any element. Formally, NHC coordination to Lewis acids affords a transfer of nucleophilicity from the carbene carbon atom to the attached exocyclic moiety, and low-valent and low-coordinate adducts of the p-block elements with available lone pairs and/or polarized carbon-element π-bonds are able to act themselves as Lewis basic donor ligands toward transition metals. Accordingly, the availability of a large number of novel NHC adducts has not only produced new varieties of already existing ligand classes but has also allowed establishment of numerous complexes with unusual and often unprecedented element-metal bonds. This review aims at summarizing this development comprehensively and covers the usage of N-heterocyclic carbene adducts of the p-block elements as ligands in transition metal chemistry.

Comparison of Two Phosphinidenes Binding to Silicon(IV)dichloride as well as to Silylene

The cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC) anchored silylene with two phosphinidenes was isolated as (cAAC)Si{P(cAAC)}₂ (3) at room temperature, which was synthesized from the reduction of (Cl₂)Si{P(cAAC)}₂ (2) using 2 equiv of KC₈. Compound 2 resulted from the reaction of 2 equiv of (cAAC)PK (1) with 1 equiv of SiCl₄. Compounds 2 and 3 are the first examples where two terminal phosphinidenes are binding each to a silicon center characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Furthermore, the structure and bonding of compounds 2 and 3 have been investigated by theoretical methods for comparison.

NHCs in Main Group Chemistry

Since the discovery of the first stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) in the beginning of the 1990s, these divalent carbon species have become a common and available class of compounds, which have found numerous applications in academic and industrial research. Their important role as two-electron donor ligands, especially in transition metal chemistry and catalysis, is difficult to overestimate. In the past decade, there has been tremendous research attention given to the chemistry of low-coordinate main group element compounds. Significant progress has been achieved in stabilization and isolation of such species as Lewis acid/base adducts with highly tunable NHC ligands. This has allowed investigation of numerous novel types of compounds with unique electronic structures and opened new opportunities in the rational design of novel organic catalysts and materials. This Review gives a general overview of this research, basic synthetic approaches, key features of NHC-main group element adducts, and might be useful for the broad research community.

Recent Advances in Imidazoliumyl-Substituted Phosphorus Compounds

This review aims to highlight the recent developments in the chemistry of selected imidazoliumyl-substituted phosphorus compounds. The synthetic approaches for their preparation with phosphorus in various oxidation states and coordination environments are discussed. Their intriguing properties and versatile chemistry strongly depends on the bonding motif at the P atoms, which is given special focus.

NHC Hg(ii) and Pd(ii) complexes based on 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone: synthesis, structure and catalysis

NHC Ag(i) and Hg(ii) complexes were prepared and characterized, and the catalytic activities of the NHC Pd(ii) complex in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction were investigated.

Phosphaalkene-substituted organo-group 15 compounds: synthesis and characterisation of (NHC)P–EtBu2 (E = P, As, Sb and Bi)

The deprotonated parent phosphinidene SIMesPK (SIMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) was used as a synthon for new binary group 15 compounds with low valent phosphorus atoms.

Thorium Metallacycle Facilitates Catalytic Alkyne Hydrophosphination

The bis(NHC)borate-supported thorium-bis(mesitylphosphido) complex (1) undergoes reversible intramolecular C-H bond activation enabling the catalytic hydrophosphination of unactivated internal alkynes. Catalytic and stoichiometric experiments support a mechanism involving reactive Th-NHC metallacycle intermediates (Int and 2).

A comparative study of the structure and bonding in heavier pnictinidene complexes [(ArE)M(CO)n] (E = As, Sb and Bi; M = Cr, Mo, W and Fe)

N,C,N-Chelated pnictinidenes ArE [where E = As (1), Sb (2) or Bi (3); Ar = C₆H₃-2,6-(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]Nt-Bu)₂] were used as ligands for the coordination of transition metal carbonyls. Thus, the reaction of 1-3 with [M(CO)₅THF] (where M = Cr, W) or [Mo(CO)₅(Me₃N)] gave complexes [(ArE)M(CO)₅] [where E = As and M = Cr (1a), Mo (1b), W (1c); E = Sb and M = Cr (2a), Mo (2b), W (2c); E = Bi and M = Cr (3a), Mo (3b), W (3c)]. Analogously, the treatment of 1-3 with [Fe₂(CO)₉] resulted in the formation of the complexes [(ArE)Fe(CO)₄] [where E = As (1d), Sb (2d) or Bi (3d)]. All compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, Raman, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the majority of the compounds (except 1b and 1c) were also determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the structure and bonding of the title compounds have also been thoroughly investigated using a computational approach.