1,2-migration in N-phosphano functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes.

1,2-Migration of the phosphano-group to the carbene center in N-phosphano functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes has been studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. An intramolecular mechanism with a three-center transition state structure seems to be most plausible for the isolated carbenes, while an intermolecular pathway catalyzed by azolium salts may be preferable for a migration proceeding in the course of generating the carbenes in situ. Our calculations show that amino-substitution at the phosphorus atom and an enhanced nucleophilicity of the heterocycle scaffold facilitate the phosphorus shift. Calculated singlet-triplet energy gaps do not correlate with thermodynamic stability of the studied carbenes and their disposition toward the 1,2-rearrangement.

Electrocyclization of phosphahexatrienes: an approach to λ5-phosphinines.

We experimentally verified an assumption that the substitution of a carbon atom with a pentavalent phosphorus atom in 1-alkoxy (dialkylamino) hexatrienes will not hamper its ability to electrocyclize. A series of 1-, 3-, and 5-phosphahexatrienes were synthesized. It was shown that parent λ(5)-phosphinines could be synthesized by electrocyclization of the 3- and 5-phosphahexatrienes. The resultant electrocyclization is a convenient method for the synthesis of parent λ(5)-phosphinines bearing different substituents on the phosphorus atom.

N-phosphorylated imidazolium salts as precursors to 2- and 5-phosphorylated imidazoles and new imidazol-2-ylidenes featuring the PNCN unit.

It has been experimentally proven that the reaction of 1- or 1,2-disubstituted imidazoles with diorganylphosphorus(III) halides proceeds via initial formation of N-phosporylated imidazolium salts. Treatment of these salts with strong bases results in phosphorylation of the parent imidazoles at the 2- or 5-positions, correspondingly. In a previous case, imidazol-2-ylidenes are formed as intermediates. With both N1 and N3 atoms bearing sterically demanding or/and π-donating groups, deprotonation of 1,3-disubstituted imidazolium salts with NaN(SiMe(3))(2) afforded new stable N-phosphorus-substituted Arduengo-type carbenes.

A representative of p,p,p-trihalogenylides: synthesis and structure.

The representative of P,P,P-trichloroylides-5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-(trichlorophosphoranylidene)-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one-was synthesized. Its constitution was confirmed by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray analysis. Some chemical properties were studied and compared with ones of P,P,P-trimethylylide-5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-(trimethylphosphoranylidene)-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one. DFT calculations of the model molecules were carried out.