Nontrigonal constraint enhances 1,2-addition reactivity of phosphazenes

Regulating iminophosphorane PN bond reactivity through geometric constraints with cage-shaped triarylphosphines

Structure-reactivity investigations and quantum-chemical parametrization of steric and electronic properties of geometrically constrained iminophosphoranes enabled the design of new frustrated Lewis pairs and revealed unusual properties at the phosphonium center embedded in the cage-shaped triptycene tricyclic scaffold.

Molecular-strain induced phosphinidene reactivity of a phosphanorcaradiene

Phosphanorcaradienes are an appealing class of phosphorus compounds that can serve as synthons of transient phosphinidenes. However, the synthesis of such species is a formidable task owing to their intrinsic high reactivity. Herein we report straightforward synthesis, characterization and reactivity studies of a phosphanorcaradiene, in which one of the benzene rings in the flanking fluorenyl substituents is intramolecularly dearomatized through attachment to the phosphorus atom. It is facilely obtained by the reduction of phosphorus(III) dichloride precursor with potassium graphite. Despite being thermally robust, it acts as a synthetic equivalent of a transient phosphinidene. It reacts with trimethylphosphine and isonitrile to yield phosphanylidene-phosphorane and 1-phospha-3-azaallene, respectively. When it is treated with one and two molar equivalents of azide, iminophosphane and bis(imino)phosphane are isolated, respectively. Moreover, it is capable of activating ethylene and alkyne to afford [1 + 2] cycloaddition products, as well as oxidative cleavage of Si-H and N-H bonds to yield secondary phosphines. All the reactions proceed smoothly at room temperature without the presence of transition metals. The driving force for these reactions is most likely the high ring-constraint of the three-membered PC2 ring and recovery of the aromaticity of the benzene ring.

Geometrically Deformed and Conformationally Rigid Phosphorus Trisamides Featuring an Unsymmetrical Backbone

Nonclassical P(III) centers have attracted much attention in recent years. Incorporating a P(III) center in a rigid bicyclic platform offers a particularly attractive way to invoke significant geometric distortion of the phosphorus atom that may in turn induce unusual reactivity. Although still relatively scarcely explored, phosphorus centers enforced in a non-C3 symmetry have gained significant traction lately. However, the current scaffolds are based on a relatively limited set of design principles and ligand platforms associated therewith. This work is focussed on the synthesis as well as versatile oxidation, addition and coordination chemistry of a geometrically distorted P(III) species featuring a synthetically modular, nonsymmetric trisamine platform derived from 2-(methylamino)-N-(2-(methylamino)phenyl)benzenesulfonamide.

Calix[4]pyrrolato-germane-(thf)2: Unlocking the Anti-van't Hoff-Le Bel Reactivity of Germanium(IV) by Ligand Dissociation

Anti-van't Hoff-Le Bel configured p-block element species possess intrinsically high reactivity and are thus challenging to isolate. Consequently, numerous elements in this configuration, including square-planar germanium(IV), remain unexplored. Herein, we follow a concept to reach anti-van't Hoff-Le Bel reactivity by ligand dissociation from a rigid calix[4]pyrrole germane in its bis(thf) adduct. While the macrocyclic ligand assures square-planar coordination in the uncomplexed form, the labile thf donors provide robustness for isolation on a multigram scale. Unique properties of a low-lying acceptor orbital imparted to germanium(IV) can be verified, e.g., by isolating an elusive anionic hydrido germanate and exploiting it for challenging bond activations. Aldehydes, water, alcohol, and a CN triple bond are activated for the first time by germanium-ligand cooperativity. Unexpected behaviors against fluoride ion donors disclose critical interferences of a putative redox-coupled fluoride ion transfer during the experimental determination of Lewis acidity. Overall, we showcase how ligand lability grants access to the uncharted chemistry of anti-van't Hoff-Le Bel germanium(IV) and line up this element as a member in the emerging class of structurally constrained p-block elements.

Reactivity of a Strictly T-Shaped Phosphine Ligated by an Acridane Derived NNN Pincer Ligand

The steric tuning of a tridentate acridane-derived NNN pincer ligand allows for the isolation of a strictly T-shaped phosphine that exhibits ambiphilic reactivity. Well-defined phosphorus-centered reactivity towards nucleophiles and electrophiles is reported, contrasting with prior reports on this class of compounds. Reactions towards oxidants are also described. The latter result in the two-electron oxidation of the phosphorus atom from +III to +V and are accompanied by a strong geometric distortion of the NNN pincer ligand. By contrast, cooperative activation of E-H (HCl, HBcat, HOMe) bonds proceeds with retention of the phosphorus redox state. When using H2 O as a substrate, the reaction results in the full disassembly of H2 O to its constituent atoms, highlighting the potential of this platform for small molecule activation reactions.

Modular Synthesis of α,α-Diaryl α-Amino Esters via Bi(V)-Mediated Arylation/SN2-Displacement of Kukhtin–Ramirez Intermediates

We report a concise and modular approach to α,α-diaryl α-amino esters from readily available α-keto esters. This mild, one-pot protocol proceeds via ketone umpolung, with in situ formation of a Kukhtin–Ramirez intermediate preceding sequential electrophilic arylation by Bi(V) and S_N2 displacement by an amine. The methodology is compatible with a wide range of anilines and primary amines - including derivatives of drugs and proteinogenic amino acids - Bi(V) arylating agents, and α-keto ester substrates.

Introducing N-Heterocyclic Iminophosphoranes (NHIPs): Synthesis by [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Azophosphines with Alkynes and Reactivity Studies

Azophosphines (Ar-N═N-PR₂) were prepared from N-aryl-N'-(trimethylsilyl)diazenes (Ar-N═N-SiMe₃) and R₂PCl by Me₃SiCl elimination or oxidation of phosphinohydrazines (Ar-NH-NH-PR₂) by 2,5-dialkyl-1,4-benzoquinones. Azophosphines underwent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with cyclooctyne and dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate to give N-heterocyclic iminophosphoranes (NHIPs), which are structurally similar to cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes. The cycloaddition reaction is compatible with various phosphorus atom substituents including phenyl (NHIP-1,4,6), isopropyl (NHIP-2), cyclohexyl (NHIP-3), and dimethylamino (NHIP-5) groups. The pK_BH⁺ values of the NHIPs in acetonitrile range from 13.13 to 23.14. On the basis of the Huynh electronic parameter, NHIP-1 and NHIP-2 have σ-donor strengths comparable with that of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. NHIP-1 underwent facile 1,2-addition with pentafluoropyridine to form a rare fluorophosphorane. The treatment of NHIP-1 with triphenylsilane resulted in P-N bond cleavage, accompanied by the reduction of phosphorus(V) to phosphorus(III). A homoleptic, cationic Cu^I-NHIP-1 complex was also prepared. The potential utility of π-donating NHIPs was demonstrated by the stabilization of a reactive iminoborane (Cl-B≡N-SiMe₃). The facile scalable synthesis, tunability of steric demands, and basicity of NHIPs suggest that this new heterocycle class may find a wide range of applications in synthetic chemistry.

Structure-reactivity studies on hypervalent square-pyramidal dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phospholes

A series of neutral pentacoordinate dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole compounds were synthesized by [4 + 1] cycloaddition with o-quinones. Counter to the expected trigonal bipyramidal geometry, the luminescent hypervalent dithienophospholes exhibit square pyramidal geometry with inherently Lewis acidic phosphorus center that is stabilized via supramolecular π-stacking interactions in the solid state and in solution. Due to their Lewis-acid character, the compounds react with nucleophiles, suggesting their potential as mediator in organic transformations. The new species thus present an intriguing structural plaform for the design of neutral P(v) Lewis acids with useful reactivities.

Tetragonal phosphorus(v) cations as tunable and robust catalytic Lewis acids

The synthesis and catalytic reactivity of a class of water-tolerant cationic phosphorus-based Lewis acids is reported.

The synthesis and catalytic reactivity of a class of water-tolerant cationic phosphorus-based Lewis acids is reported. Corrole-based phosphorus(v) cations of the type [ArP(cor)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Ar = C₆H₅, 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃; cor = 5,10,15-(C₆H₅)₃corrolato^3–, 5,10,15-(C₆F₅)₃corrolato^3–) were synthesized and characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction. The visible electronic absorption spectra of these cationic phosphacorroles depend strongly on the coordination environment at phosphorus, and their Lewis acidities are quantified by spectrophotometric titrations. DFT analyses establish that the character of the P-acceptor orbital comprises P–N antibonding interactions in the basal plane of the phosphacorrole. Consequently, the cationic phosphacorroles display unprecedented stability to water and alcohols while remaining highly active and robust Lewis acid catalysts for carbonyl hydrosilylation, C_sp³–H bond functionalization, and carbohydrate deoxygenation reactions.

Validating the Biphilic Hypothesis of Nontrigonal Phosphorus(III) Compounds

Constraining σ³ -P compounds in nontrigonal, entatic geometries has proven to be an effective strategy for promoting biphilic oxidative addition reactions more typical of transition metals. Although qualitative descriptions of the impact of structure and symmetry on σ³ -P complexes have been proposed, electronic structure variations responsible for biphilic reactivity have yet to be elucidated experimentally. Reported here are P K-edge XANES data and complementary TDDFT calculations for a series of structurally modified P(N)₃ complexes that both validate and quantify electronic structure variations proposed to give rise to biphilic reactions at phosphorus. These data are presented alongside experimentally referenced electronic structure calculations that reveal nontrigonal structures predicted to further enhance biphilic reactivity in σ³ -P ligands and catalysts.

Insertion of a Nontrigonal Phosphorus Ligand into a Transition Metal-Hydride: Direct Access to a Metallohydrophosphorane

The synthesis and reactivity of an NPN-chelating ligand containing a nontrigonal phosphorous triamide center (L1 = P(N( o-N(2-pyridyl)C₆H₄)₂) is reported. Metalation of L1 with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ gives RuCl₂(PPh₃)(L1) (2). By contrast, metalation of L1 with RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ yields RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(L1^H) (3), a chelated 10-P-5 ruthenahydridophosphorane, via net insertion into the Ru-H bond. Hydride abstraction from 3 with Ph₃CPF₆ gives [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(L1)]PF₆ (4); reaction of 4 with NaBH₄ returns 3.