Polymer-supported strong Lewis acid phosphonium cation catalysis applied to sydnone synthesis

Organochlorophosphonium P(V) species are strong Lewis acids deriving from a low-lying σ* orbital at P opposite to Cl. Herein, applying this strong acidity to heterogenous reactivity, we introduce polymer-supported phosphorus(V)-mediated Lewis acid catalysis. Key to this innovation is the use of a recyclable solid support Merrifield resin P(V) Lewis acid catalyst with demonstrated utility for the one-pot synthesis of sydnones. This concept of pnictogen P(V) Lewis acid catalysis is simple to apply, selective, and benefits from mild conditions with short reaction times. Further, experimental and computational findings reveal the crucial mechanistic role of phosphonium cation P(V) species in these reactions.

Fluorophosphoniums as Lewis acids in organometallic catalysis: application to the carbonylation of β-lactones

We describe the synthesis and characterisation of four organic Lewis acids based on fluorophosphoniums, with tetracarbonyl cobaltate as the counter-anion: [R3PF]+[Co(CO)4]- (with R = o-Tol, Cy, iPr, and tBu). Their catalytic activity was investigated for the carbonylation of β-lactones to succinic anhydrides. In the presence of [tBu3PF]+[Co(CO)4]- IV (3 mol%), 90% of succinic anhydride was afforded from β-propiolactone after 16 h at 80 °C, at a very mild pressure of 2 bar of carbon monoxide. Our study sets the first example of the use of a main-group cation as a Lewis acidic partner in the cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation of β-lactones.

Synthesis and Structure of Mono-, Di-, and Trinuclear Fluorotriarylbismuthonium Cations

A series of cationic fluorotriarylbismuthonium salts bearing differently substituted aryl groups (Ar = 9,9-Me₂-9H-xanthene, Ph, Mes, and 3,5-tBu-C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. While the presence of simple phenyl substituents around the Bi center results in a polymeric structure with three Bi centers in the repeating monomer, substituents at the ortho- and meta-positions lead to cationic mono- and dinuclear fluorobismuthonium complexes, respectively. Preparation of all compounds is accomplished by fluoride abstraction from the parent triaryl Bi(V) difluorides using NaBAr^F (BAr^F– = B[C₆H₃-3,5-(CF₃)₂]₄^–). Structural parameters were obtained via single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their behavior in solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Trinuclear and binuclear complexes are held together through one bridging fluoride (μ-F) between two Bi(V) centers. In contrast, the presence of Me groups in both ortho-positions of the aryl ring provides the adequate steric encumbrance to isolate a unique mononuclear nonstabilized fluorotriarylbismuthonium cation. This compound features a distorted tetrahedral geometry and is remarkably stable at room temperature both in solution (toluene, benzene and THF) and in the solid state.

Silylium Ions: From Elusive Reactive Intermediates to Potent Catalysts

The history of silyl cations has all the makings of a drama but with a happy ending. Being considered reactive intermediates impossible to isolate in the condensed phase for decades, their actual characterization in solution and later in solid state did only fuel the discussion about their existence and initially created a lot of controversy. This perception has completely changed today, and silyl cations and their donor-stabilized congeners are now widely accepted compounds with promising use in synthetic chemistry. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the fundamental facts and principles of the chemistry of silyl cations, including reliable ways of their preparation as well as their physical and chemical properties. The striking features of silyl cations are their enormous electrophilicity and as such reactivity as super Lewis acids as well as fluorophilicity. Known applications rely on silyl cations as reactants, stoichiometric reagents, and promoters where the reaction success is based on their steady regeneration over the course of the reaction. Silyl cations can even be discrete catalysts, thereby opening the next chapter of their way into the toolbox of synthetic methodology.

A convenient access to fluorophosphonium triflate salts by electrophilic fluorination and anion exchange

The in situ one-pot electrophilic fluorination of phosphanes with NFSI followed by anion exchange with MeOTf gives highly electrophilic fluorophosphonium triflates – highly efficient catalysts for the synthesis of N-sulfonylamidines from amides.

Electrophilic fluorosulfoxonium cations as hidden Brønsted acid catalysts in (n + 2) annulations of strained cycloalkanes

A fluorosulfoxonium cation and triflic acid were shown to promote (n + 2) annulations of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes or -butanes with 1,2-dipoles, with different activity and selectivity but a presumed similar role as (hidden) Brønsted acids.

Deoxygenative Fluorination of Phosphine Oxides: A General Route to Fluorinated Organophosphorus(V) Compounds and Beyond

Fluorinated organophosphorus(V) compounds are a very versatile class of compounds, but the synthetic methods available to make them bear the disadvantages of 1) occasional handling of toxic or pyrophoric P^III starting materials and 2) a dependence on hazardous fluorinating reagents such as XeF₂ . Herein, we present a simple solution and introduce a deoxygenative fluorination (DOF) approach that utilizes easy-to-handle phosphine oxides as starting materials and effectively replaces harsh fluorinating reagents by a combination of oxalyl chloride and potassium fluoride. The reaction has proven to be general, as R₃ PF₂ , R₂ PF₃ , and RPF₄ compounds (as well as various cations and anions derived from these) are accessible in good yields and on up to a multi-gram scale. DFT calculations were used to bolster our observations. Notably, the discovery of this new method led to a convenient synthesis of 1) new difluorophosphonium ions, 2) hexafluorophosphate salts, and 3) fluorinated antimony- and arsenic- compounds.

Facile synthesis of a nickel(0) phosphine complex at ambient temperature

The reaction of the bis(methoxy)-2-pyridyl-phosphine (MeO)₂P(2-py) with [Ni(MeCN)₆](BF₄)₂ leads to the unexpected, single-step reduction of Ni^II and the formation of a tetrahedral nickel(0) complex.

Rh(iii)-Catalysed solvent-free hydrodehalogenation of alkyl halides by tertiary silanes

Efficient catalytic reduction of CDCl3 and other alkyl halides, including persistent organic pollutants, by different tertiary silanes using the unsaturated silyl-hydrido-Rh(iii) complex {Rh(H)[SiMe2(o-C6H4SMe)](PPh3)2}[BArF4] as a pre-catalyst is accomplished. The reactions are performed in a solvent-free manner. On account of experimental evidence, a simplified catalytic cycle is suggested for the hydrodehalogenation of CDCl3.

Carbeniophosphines versus Phosphoniocarbenes: The Role of the Positive Charge

The chemistry of carbeniophosphines and phosphoniocarbenes, which have general structures derived formally from the three-component "carbene/phosphine/positive charge" association, is presented. These two complementary classes of carbon-phosphorus-based ligands, defined by the presence of an inverted cationic coordinating structure (C+ ∼P: vs. P+ ∼C:) have the common purpose of positioning a positive charge in the vicinity of the metal center. Through selected examples, the synthetic methods, coordination properties, and general reactivity of both cationic species is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of the positive charge on the respective chemical behavior of the two classes of compound.

Probing steric influences on electrophilic phosphonium cations: a comparison of [(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3PF]+ and [(C6F5)3PF]+

The electrophilic phosphonium cation (EPC) salt [(3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₃PF][B(C₆F₅)₄] (2) can display catalytic activity greater than its thermodynamic acidity would suggest. The role of steric factors is explored.

Metal-free pincer ligand chemistry polycationic phosphonium Lewis acids

Oxidation with or without subsequent methylation of the pyridine of 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphine)methyl pyridine affords di- and tricationic phosphonium salts. These species are used as Lewis acid catalysts for the dimerization of 1,1-diphenylethylene, the hydrodefluorination of 1-fluoroadamantane, and the dehydrocoupling of phenol and silane.

Dicationic phosphonium salts: Lewis acid initiators for the Mukaiyama-aldol reaction

Two strategies were used to prepare dicationic phosphonium cations.

Catalytic double hydroarylation of alkynes to 9,9-disubstituted 9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives by an electrophilic phenoxyphosphonium dication

An electrophilic pyridinium-substituted phenoxyphosphonium dicationic salt catalyzes the double hydroarylation of alkynes with diarylamines to give dihydroacridine derivatives.

A model for C–F activation by electrophilic phosphonium cations

The electrophilic phosphonium cation (EPC) salt [C₁₀H₆(CF₃)PF(C₆F₅)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] 4 exhibited structural and spectroscopic features evidencing an interaction between the CF₃ and fluorophosphonium units. It thus models a key step in the proposed mechanism of main group C–F activation.

Synthesis and oxidation of phosphine cations

Cationic phosphines of the form [(L)PPh₂]⁺ are prepared from Ph₂PCl and carbenes (L), including a chiral bis(oxazoline)-based carbene, a cyclic(alkyl)(amino) carbene, and a 1,2,3-triazolium-derived carbene. A related dication was prepared from PhPCl₂ and a bis-carbene. The monocations, but not the dication, can be oxidized with XeF₂.

Cooperative Lewis acidity in borane-substituted fluorophosphonium cations

Fluorophosphonium salts C₆X₄(BR₂)Ph₂PF[B(C₆F₅)₄] (X = H, F; R = Cy, Mes) exhibit enhanced Lewis acid catalytic reactivity as a results of the proximity of the fluorophosphonium and borane moieties.

Electrophilic phosphonium cations (EPCs) with perchlorinated-aryl substituents: towards air-stable phosphorus-based Lewis acid catalysts

A series of fluorophosphonium cations incorporating (C₆Cl₅) substituents, [Ph₂PF(C₆Cl₅)][B(C₆F₅)₄] 8, [PhPF(C₆Cl₅)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] 9, and [(C₆F₅)PF(C₆Cl₅)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] 10, were prepared and tested for air stability and catalytic activity.