Phospha-Mannich reactions of PH3 and its analogs

Pd(II)- and Pt(II)-Assisted P-C Activation/Cyclization Reactions with a Luminescent α-Aminophosphine

There is unceasing interest toward transformations of phosphine derivatives, which are facilitated by transition metals. We report a facile Pd(II)- and Pt(II)-assisted P-C bond cleavage in a luminescent 2-phenylbenzothiazole-based α-methylaminophosphine (PCN, 1). Specifically, reactions between 1 and [M(COD)Cl2] (M = Pd, Pt; COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) in different solvents (methylene chloride, acetonitrile, pyridine, toluene) resulted in the formation of PPh2-, captured either as a bridging ligand in binuclear complexes with a {M2(PPh2)2} moiety or as an adduct to COD in [Pt2(PPh2COD)2Cl2]. The heterocyclic part transforms to annulated c-CN+ species with a 1,2-dihydroquinazoline cycle formed. In the presence of pyridine as a base, annulated form c-CN+ destabilizes and undergoes reverse cyclization transforming to deprotonated CN form. Quantum-chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict that a crucial step in the reactions involves proton transfer from the N atom of the amino group of PCN to a neighboring molecule. A combination of high photophysical sensitivity of c-CN+ toward its immediate environment and rich structural capabilities in assembling (c-CN)22+ pairs in different crystal packings in a family of phases with the general formula (c-CN)2[M2(PPh2)2Cl4] allows one to fine-tune the luminescence properties of the latter. The results were rationalized as a variation of π-π intercationic spacings, which tunes the degree of excited-state charge transfer between c-CN+ cations. As a result, compounds with relatively short interplanar π-π-separation between the cations show a stronger charge-transfer-mediated bathochromic shift.

Tris(aminomethyl)phosphines and Their Copper(I) (Pseudo)halide Complexes with Aromatic Diimines-A Critical Retrospection

Metal complexes feature a wide range of available geometries, diversified lability, controllable hydrolytic stability, and easily available rich redox activity. These characteristics, combined with the specific properties of coordinated organic molecules, result in many different mechanisms of biological action, making each of the myriads of the classes of metal coordination compounds unique. This focused review presents combined and systematized results of the studies of a group of copper(I) (pseudo)halide complexes with aromatic diimines and tris(aminomethyl)phosphines of a general formula [CuX(NN)PR₃], where X = I^- or NCS^-, NN = 2,2'-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-biquinoline, and PR₃ = air-stable tris(aminomethyl)phosphines. The structural and electronic properties of the phosphine ligands and luminescent complexes are discussed. The complexes with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, apart from being air- and water-stable, exhibit a very high in vitro antimicrobial activity against the Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Moreover, some of these complexes also show a strong in vitro antitumor activity against human ovarian carcinoma cell lines: MDAH 2774 and SCOV 3, CT26 (mouse colon carcinoma), and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines. The tested complexes are moderately able to induce DNA lesions through free radical processes, however the trends do not reflect observed differences in biological activity.

The Backbone of Success of P,N-Hybrid Ligands: Some Recent Developments

Organophosphorus ligands are an invaluable family of compounds that continue to underpin important roles in disciplines such as coordination chemistry and catalysis. Their success can routinely be traced back to facile tuneability thus enabling a high degree of control over, for example, electronic and steric properties. Diphosphines, phosphorus compounds bearing two separated P^III donor atoms, are also highly valued and impart their own unique features, for example excellent chelating properties upon metal complexation. In many classical ligands of this type, the backbone connectivity has been based on all carbon spacers only but there is growing interest in embedding other donor atoms such as additional nitrogen (–NH–, –NR–) sites. This review will collate some important examples of ligands in this field, illustrate their role as ligands in coordination chemistry and highlight some of their reactivities and applications. It will be shown that incorporation of a nitrogen-based group can impart unusual reactivities and important catalytic applications.