Mechanistic Insights and Synthetic Explorations of the Photoredox-Catalyzed Activation of Halophosphines.

The light-driven activation of halophosphines R2PX (R = alkyl- or aryl, X = Cl, Br) by an IrIII-based photocatalyst is described. It is shown that initially formed secondary phosphines R2PH react readily with the remaining R2PX in a parent-child reaction to form diphosphines R2P-PR2. Aryl-containing diphosphines can be further reduced to secondary phosphines RAr2PH under identical photoredox conditions. Dihalophosphines RPX2 are also activated by the photoredox protocol, giving rise to unusual 3-, 4-, and 5-membered cyclophosphines. Transient absorption studies show that the excited state of the Ir photocatalyst is reductively quenched by the DIPEA (N,N-di-iso-propylethylamine) electron donor. Electron transfer to R2PX is however unexpectedly slow and cannot compete with recombination with the oxidized donor DIPEA•+. As DIPEA is not a perfectly reversible donor, a small proportion of the total IrII population escapes recombination, providing the reductant for the observed transformations.

E,Z-Selectivity in the reductive cross-coupling of two benzaldehydes to stilbenes under substrate control.

Unsymmetrical E- and Z-stilbenes can be synthesized from two differently substituted benzaldehydes in a MesP(TMS)Li-promoted reductive coupling sequence. Depending on the order of addition of the two coupling partners, the same olefin can be produced in either E- or Z-enriched form under identical reaction conditions. A systematic study of the correlation between the stereochemical outcome of the reaction and the substitution pattern at the two aldehydes is presented. The results can be used as guidelines to predict the product stereochemistry.

Phospholones from Diacetylenic Ketones: Synthesis, Properties, and Reactivity.

The reactivity of phosphanyl phosphonates toward diacetylenic ketones was studied. Reactions resulted in the selective formation of phospholones via phosphaalkene intermediates. Phospholones were obtained in yields of 37-96% depending on the substituent on the acetylenic unit. Reduction of the phenyl-substituted phospholone resulted in the formation of a persubstituted phosphole bearing a hydroxyl group in position 3 in 64% yield, and its oxidation led to oxaphospholone in 77% yield. Both of these modifications led to substantial changes in the optoelectronic properties of the compounds and bathochromic shifts of the longest wavelength absorption maximum.

Furan- and Thiophene-Based Auxochromes Red-shift Chlorin Absorptions and Enable Oxidative Chlorin Polymerizations.

The de novo syntheses of chemically stable chlorins with five-membered heterocyclic (furane, thiophene, formylfurane and formylthiophene) substituents in selected meso- and ß-positions are reported. Heterocycle incorporation in the 3- and 13-positions shifted the chlorin absorption and emission to the red (up to λem =680 nm), thus these readily incorporated substituents function analogously to auxochromes present in chlorophylls, for example, formyl and vinyl groups. Photophysical, theoretical and X-ray crystallographic experiments revealed small but significant differences between the behavior of the furan- and the thiophene-based auxochromes. Four regioisomeric bis-thienylchlorins (3,10; 3,13, 3,15 and 10,15) were oxidatively electropolymerized; the chlorin monomer geometry had a profound impact on the polymerization efficiency and the electrochemical properties of the resulting material. Chemical co-polymerization of 3,13-bis-thienylchlorin with 3-hexylthiophene yielded an organic-soluble red-emitting polymer.

Synthesis and Characterization of Ferrocenyl Chlorins, 1,1'-Ferrocene-Linked Chlorin Dimers, and their BODIPY Analogues.

We present the synthesis and characterization of meso-ferrocenyl-substituted hydroporphyrins (chlorins) and 1,1'-linked chlorin dimers. The dipyrromethane chlorin precursors were also transformed into Fc-substituted BODIPYs and 1,1'-ferrocenyl-linked BODIPY dimers. The chlorin dimers were studied by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and DFT calculations, which showed that their solution structures were dependent on the central metal. Monomeric and dimeric Ni(II) chlorins had similar 1H NMR spectra. Monomeric and dimeric free base, Zn(II), and Pd(II) chlorins, on the other hand, showed significantly more different spectra. The eclipsed conformer of the free base chlorin dimer was calculated to be energetically more favored than the open form. The chlorin and BODIPY fluorescence emissions were quenched in the Fc-substituted compounds; these could be recovered by oxidation of the Fe(II) center. Cyclic voltammetry showed up to five oxidation waves for the free base chlorin dimer, which suggests that the macrocycles were not behaving independently of each other.

Redox switching in ethenyl-bridged bisphospholes.

A 2e(-) /2H(+) redox platform has been implemented in the ethenyl-bridged bisphosphol-3-ol 1 to afford the first phospholes that feature chemically reversible oxidations. Oxidation of the title compounds to the corresponding bisphosphol-3-one 2 leads to a change in conjugation topology and a concomitant hypsochromic shift of the lowest-energy absorption maximum by 100 nm. Electrochemical oxidation proceeds without any detectable intermediates, whereas the deprotonated form of 1 can be observed in an aprotic medium during the reduction of 2. This dianionic intermediate 3 is characterized by end absorptions that are bathochromically shifted by circa 200 nm compared to those of 2.

Oxaphospholes and bisphospholes from phosphinophosphonates and α,ß-unsaturated ketones.

The reaction of a {W(CO)5 }-stabilized phosphinophosphonate 1, (CO)5 WPH(Ph)P(O)(OEt)2 , with ethynyl- (2 a-f) and diethynylketones (7-11, 18, and 19) in the presence of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) is examined. Lithiated 1 undergoes nucleophilic attack in the Michael position of the acetylenic ketones, as long as this position is not sterically encumbered by bulky (iPr)3 Si substituents. Reaction of all other monoacetylenic ketones with lithiated 1 results in the formation of 2,5-dihydro-1,2-oxaphospholes 3 and 4. When diacetylenic ketones are employed in the reaction, two very different product types can be isolated. If at least one (Me)3 Si or (Et)3 Si acetylene terminus is present, as in 7, 8, and 19, an anionic oxaphosphole intermediate can react further with a second equivalent of ketone to give cumulene-decorated oxaphospholes 14, 15, 24, and 25. Diacetylenic ketones 10 and 11, with two aromatic acetylene substituents, react with lithitated 1 to form exclusively ethenyl-bridged bisphospholes 16 and 17. Mechanisms that rationalize the formation of all heterocycles are presented and are supported by DFT calculations. Computational studies suggest that thermodynamic, as well as kinetic, considerations dictate the observed reactivity. The calculated reaction pathways reveal a number of almost isoenergetic intermediates that follow after ring opening of the initially formed oxadiphosphetane. Bisphosphole formation through a carbene intermediate G is greatly favored in the presence of phenyl substituents, whereas the formation of cumulene-decorated oxaphospholes is more exothermic for the trimethylsilyl-containing substrates. The pathway to the latter compounds contains a 1,3-shift of the group that stems from the acetylene terminus of the ketone substrates. For silyl substituents, the 1,3-shift proceeds along a smooth potential energy surface through a transition state that is characterized by a pentacoordinated silicon center. In contrast, a high-lying transition state TS(E'-F')R=Ph of 37 kcal mol(-1) is found when the substituent is a phenyl group, thus explaining the experimental observation that aryl-terminated diethynylketones 10 and 11 exclusively form bisphospholes 16 and 17.

Precursors for the Development of π-Conjugated Low-Coordinate Phosphorus Compounds.

The synthesis of a novel monomeric precursor and its butadiyne-bridged dimeric form for the preparation of novel π-conjugated organophosphorus compounds is presented. The precursors are synthesized from commercially available starting materials, and based on a Dmp (2,6-dimesitylphenyl) group for kinetic stabilization of the P-functionality, a bromo substituent for the introduction of the phosphorus center, and an acetylene unit at the para position of the Dmp moiety. Such acetylenic units are synthetically versatile, and can be explored for the construction of larger phosphorus-containing π-conjugates. The precursors are utilized to prepare Dmp-stabilized C,C-dibromophosphaalkenes, and butadiyne-bridged dimeric species thereof. The effect of the low-coordinate phosphorus centers and the extent of π-conjugation on the spectroscopic and electronic properties is evaluated by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as cyclic voltammetry. In addition to the phosphaalkenes, the successful syntheses of two new diphosphenes are presented, indicating a broad applicability of the precursor.

Cascade reactions forming highly substituted, conjugated phospholes and 1,2-oxaphospholes.

More than just a carbon copy: The reaction of a phospha-Wittig-Horner reagent with diacetylenic ketones (see scheme) results in a cascade of reactions that can lead to both an oxaphosphole-terminated cumulene system and an alkene-bridged bis-phosphole. The reaction outcome is determined by the nature of the acetylene termini, with phenyl groups stabilizing a carbene intermediate that dimerizes to give the bis-phosphole product.

[2 + 2] Cycloaddition of phosphaalkenes as a key step for the reductive coupling of diaryl ketones to tetraaryl olefins.

Procedures for the reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds to alkenes in the literature rely either on a radical coupling strategy, as in the McMurry coupling, or ionic pathways, sometimes catalysed by transition metals, as in more contemporary contributions. Herein, we present the first example of a third strategy that is based on the [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ketone-derived phosphaalkenes. Removal of P-trimethylsilyl groups at the intermediary 1,2-diphosphetane dimer results in its collapse and concomitant release of the tetraaryl-substituted alkene. In fact, the presented strategy is the only alternative to the McMurry coupling in the literature that allows tetraaryl alkene formation from diaryl ketones, with yields as high as 85%. The power of the methodology is illustrated in the reaction of tethered bis-benzophenones which engage in intramolecular reductive carbonyl couplings to form unusual macrocycles without the need for high dilution conditions or templating.

Investigation of the demetallation of 10-aryl substituted synthetic chlorins under acidic conditions.

The acidic demetallation of a series of sparsely substituted Zn(II) chlorins is reported. The chlorins were functionalized in the 10-position with substituents ranging from strongly electron donating mesityl and p-methoxyphenyl to electron-withdrawing p-nitrophenyl and pentafluorophenyl groups. The demetallation kinetics were investigated using UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. Demetallation was carried out by exposing the metallochlorins dissolved in CH2Cl2 to an excess of trifluoroacetic acid. Reasonable correlation was found between the Hammett constant of the 10-substituent and the rate constant of the loss of the metal ion. The largest differences were observed between the p-methoxyphenyl and p-nitrophenyl-substituted Zn(II) chlorins, undergoing loss of Zn(II) with pseudo first order rate constants of 0.0789 × 10-3 and 3.70 × 10-3 min-1, respectively. Taken together, these data establish the dramatic influence even subtle changes can have in altering the electronic properties of chlorins, which in turn impacts metallochlorin function.

Triarylalkenes from the site-selective reductive cross-coupling of benzophenones and aldehydes.

PhP(Li)TMS converts benzophenones to phosphaalkenes which upon activation under oxidizing, basic conditions react with aromatic aldehydes under the formation of triarylalkenes. The one-pot reaction omits transition metals, proceeds at room temperature and precludes the formation of any homo-coupling products. Systematic substrate variations reveal reactivity patterns that are useful for the identification of ketone/aldehyde combinations that can be coupled in yields up to 80%.

One-Pot Intermolecular Reductive Cross-Coupling of Deactivated Aldehydes to Unsymmetrically 1,2-Disubstituted Alkenes.

The phospha-Peterson reaction between a lithiated secondary phosphane, MesP(Li)TMS, and an aldehyde affords Mes-phosphaalkenes which, upon methanol addition and P-oxidation, react with a second carbonyl compound site specifically to produce unsymmetric alkenes. The E/ Z selectivity of the one-pot cross coupling is largely determined by the electronic nature of the aryl substituent of the first aldehyde, with electron-donating groups giving rise to increased amounts of Z-alkenes.

Reductive coupling of two aldehydes to unsymmetrical E-alkenes via phosphaalkene and phosphinate intermediates.

Stilbenes with push-pull electronics are directly accessible from an electron-rich and an electron-deficient benzaldehyde in a novel reductive aldehyde cross-coupling reaction. The one-pot procedure is enabled by the oxidation of a transient phosphinite to the corresponding phosphinate which exhibits sufficient reactivity towards deactivated aldehydes.

Synthesis of the first metal-free phosphanylphosphonate and its use in the "phospha-Wittig-Horner" reaction.

The synthesis of the first phophanylphosphonate, Mes*PH-PO(OEt)2 (2-H), in which the P(III) centre is not coordinated by a M(CO)5 (M = W, Mo, Cr) fragment is reported. The title compound reacts with LDA under the formation of 2-Li which is best described as the enolate form with a high double bond character between the two phosphorus centres. 2-Li is shown to engage in the phospha-Wittig-Horner reaction and converts aldehydes into phosphaalkenes that are metal-free and thus available for future manipulations at the phophorus lone pair. Using a selection of aldehydes with aliphatic, aromatic or vinylic substituents as substrates, phosphaalkene formation proceeds in high yields and high E-selectivity. The selectivity is however compromised during purification on standard silica which was found to promote E/Z isomerization.

Directly linked hydroporphyrin dimers.

Directly linked hydroporphyrin (chlorin) dimers were accessed regioselectively from bromochlorins. Versatile 15-borylated chlorins were prepared in excellent yield via Miyaura borylation. Suzuki coupling yielded meso-meso-linked homo- and heterodimers, and meso-ß-linked dimers. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the dimers are reported.

Carbaborane-based alkynylphosphanes and phospholes.

The reaction of 1,2-bis(N,N-dimethylaminochloro-phosphanyl)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) and lithiated phenylacetylene gives a five-membered dihydrophosphole derivative with an exocyclic phosphanyl group. This unexpected reaction opens new possibilities for the synthesis of carbaborane-containing phosphorus heterocycles. P,P'-alkynylated 1,2-bis(phosphanyl)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)s are obtained from alkynylchlorophosphanes and dilithiated carbaborane. This new class of alkynes can be used for future applications in cyclizations and polymerizations.