Oxy-Borylenes as Photoreductants: Synthesis and Application in Dehalogenation and Detosylation Reactions.

While the range of accessible borylenes has significantly broadened over the last decade, applications remain limited. Herein, we present tricoordinate oxy-borylenes as potent photoreductants that can be readily activated by visible light. Facile oxidation of CAAC stabilized oxy-borylenes (CAAC)(IPr2 Me2 )BOR (R=TMS, CH2 CH2 C6 H5 , CH2 CH2 (4-F)C6 H4 ) to their corresponding radical cations is achieved with mildly oxidizing ferrocenium ion. Cyclovoltammetric studies reveal ground-state redox potentials of up to -1.90 V vs. Fc+/0 for such oxy-borylenes placing them among the strongest organic super electron donors. Their ability as photoreductants is further supported by theoretical studies and showcased by the application as stoichiometric reagents for the photochemical hydrodehalogenation of aryl chlorides, aryl bromides and unactivated alkyl bromides as well as the detosylation of anilines.

Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques for the Structural Characterization of Geminal Alane-Phosphane Frustrated Lewis Pairs and Secondary Adducts.

The first comprehensive solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization of geminal alane-phosphane frustrated Lewis pairs (Al/P FLPs) is reported. Their relevant NMR parameters (isotropic chemical shifts, direct and indirect 27 Al-31 P spin-spin coupling constants, and 27 Al nuclear electric quadrupole coupling tensor components) have been determined by numerical analysis of the experimental NMR line shapes and compared with values computed from the known crystal structures by using density functional theory (DFT) methods. Our work demonstrates that the 31 P NMR chemical shifts for the studied Al/P FLPs are very sensitive to slight structural inequivalences. The 27 Al NMR central transition signals are spread out over a broad frequency range (>200 kHz), owing to the presence of strong nuclear electric quadrupolar interactions that can be well-reproduced by the static 27 Al wideband uniform rate smooth truncation (WURST) Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (WCPMG) NMR experiment. 27 Al chemical shifts and quadrupole tensor components offer a facile and clear distinction between three- and four-coordinate aluminum environments. For measuring internuclear Al⋅⋅⋅P distances a new resonance-echo saturation-pulse double-resonance (RESPDOR) experiment was developed by using efficient saturation via frequency-swept WURST pulses. The successful implementation of this widely applicable technique indicates that internuclear Al⋅⋅⋅P distances in these compounds can be measured within a precision of ±0.1 Å.

Sterically constrained tricyclic phosphine: redox behaviour, reductive and oxidative cleavage of P-C bonds, generation of a dilithium phosphaindole as a promising synthon in phosphine chemistry.

The redox behaviour of sterically constrained tricyclic phosphine 3a was investigated by spectroelectrochemistry. The data suggested a highly negative reduction potential with the reversible formation of a dianionic species. Accordingly, 3a reacted with two equivalents of Li/naphthalene by reductive cleavage of a P-C bond of one of the PC4 heterocycles. The resulting dilithium compound 5 represents a phosphaindole derivative with annulated aromatic C6 and PC4 rings. It is an interesting starting material for the synthesis of new heterocyclic molecules, as was shown by treatment with Me2SiCl2 and PhPCl2. The structures of the products (6 and 7) formally reflect ring expansion by insertion of silylen or phosphinidene fragments into a P-C bond of 3a. Treatment of 3a with H2O2 did not result in the usually observed transfer of a single O atom to phosphorus, but oxidative cleavage of a strained PC4 ring afforded a bicyclic phosphinic acid, R2PO2H.

New Reactivity Patterns in 3H-Phosphaallene Chemistry [Aryl-P=C=C(H)-tBu]: Hydroboration of the C=C Bond, Deprotonation and Trimerisation.

3H-Phosphaallenes, R-P=C=C(H)C-R' (3), are accessible in a multigram scale on a new and facile route and show a fascinating chemical reactivity. BH3 (SMe2 ) and 3 a (R=Mes*, R'=tBu) afforded by hydroboration of the C=C bonds of two phosphaallene molecules an unprecedented borane (7) with the B atom bound to two P=C double bonds. This compound represents a new FLP based on a B and two P atoms. The increased Lewis acidity of the B atom led to a different reaction course upon treatment of 3 a with H2 B-C6 F5 (SMe2 ). Hydroboration of a C=C bond of a first phosphaallene is followed in a typical FLP reaction by the coordination of a second phosphaallene molecule via B-C and P-B bond formation to yield a BP2 C2 heterocycle (8). Its B-P bond is short and the B-bound P atom has a planar surrounding. Treatment of 3 a with tBuLi resulted in deprotonation of the ß-C atom of the phosphaallene (9). The Li atom is bound to the P atom as demonstrated by crystal structure determination, quantum chemical calculations and reactions with HCl, Cl-SiMe3 or Cl-PtBu2 . The thermally unstable phosphaallene Ph-P=C=C(H)-tBu gave a unique trimeric secondary product by P-P, P-C and C-C bond formation. It contains a P2 C4 heterocycle and was isolated as a W(CO)4 complex with two P atoms coordinated to W (15).

Tridentate Ligand with Three Carbanions as Donor Atoms: Formation of Dinuclear, Heptacyclic Complexes of Boron, Aluminum, or Gallium with B-C-B, Al-C-Al, or Ga-C-Ga Three-Center-Two-Electron Bonds.

The trilithium compound 1,3-[PhMe2Si-C(Li)═C(H)]2C6H3Li (2b) reacted with BCl3, AlCl3, or GaCl3 by salt elimination to yield dinuclear heptacyclic compounds (4). Two tridentate tricarbanionic ligands coordinate two B, Al, or Ga atoms and adopt a helical arrangement of the ligands around a central E2 unit. The unusual structures comprise E2C2 heterocycles with two 3c-2e (three-center-two-electron) E-C-E bonds and two C atoms of aromatic rings in the bridging positions. While such a bonding situation is well-documented in Al chemistry, it is rare for B and Ga compounds. Insight into the bonding situation of the molecules is provided by DFT calculations.

Aspects of Phosphaallene Chemistry: Heat-Induced Formation of 1,2-Dihydrophosphetes by Intramolecular Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution and Photochemical Generation of Tricyclic Phosphiranes.

3H-Phosphaallenes are accessible on a new and facile route and show a fascinating chemical behavior. The thermally induced rearrangement of Mes*P═C═C(H)R' (R' = tBu, Ad) afforded by C-H activation, isobutene elimination, and C-C and P-H bond formation bicyclic 1-benzo-dihydrophosphetes (2) with PC3 heterocycles. DFT calculations suggest a mechanism with intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution and replacement of an alkyl group by the nucleophilic α-C atom of the phosphaallene. These bicycles formed W(CO)5 complexes (3) or afforded 1,2-dihydrophosphetes with P-bound alkenyl groups by catalyst-free hydrophosphination of alkynes (4 and 5). The resulting bulky phosphines formed complexes with IrCp*Cl2, RuCl2, AuCl, or CuO3SCF3. The Ru atom is coordinated by the P atom and a phenyl group. Irradiation of TripP═C═C(H)tBu led by the insertion of the central C atom of the P═C═C group into the α-C-H bond of an iPr substituent and by C-C and P-C bond formation to a new isomer of phosphaallenes, 10, which features a strained PC2 heterocycle. It formed adducts with M(CO)5 (M = Cr, Mo, W) and AuCl and reacted with SO2Cl2 by cleavage of one of the phosphirane P-C bonds to yield PC4 or PC5 heterocycles. Hydrolysis yielded a PC5 compound with a P(O)Cl group.

Al/P- and Ga/P-Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs and Electronically Unsaturated Substrates: Ring Cleavage and Ring Closure, C-C and C-N Bond Formation.

Al/P- and Ga/P-based frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) reacted with an azirine under mild conditions under cleavage of the heterocycle on two different positions. Opening of the C-C bond yielded an unusual nitrile-ylide adduct in which a C-N moiety coordinated to the FLP backbone. Cleavage of a C-N bond afforded the thermodynamically favored enamine adduct with the N atom bound to P and Al or Ga atoms. Ring closure was observed upon treatment of an Al/P FLP with electronically unsaturated substrates (4-(1-cyclohexenyl)-1-aza-but-1-en-3-ynes) and yielded by C-N bond formation hexahydroquinoline derivatives, which coordinated to the FLP through P-C and Al-C bonds. Diphenylcyclopropenone showed a diverse reactivity, which depending on steric shielding and the polarizing effect of Al or Ga atoms afforded different products. An AltBu2 /P FLP yielded an adduct with the C=O group coordinated to P and Al. The dineopentyl derivative gave an equilibrium mixture consisting of a similar product and a simple adduct with O bound to Al and a three-coordinate P atom. Both compounds co-crystallize. The Ga/P FLP only formed the simple adduct with the same substrate. Rearrangement resulted in all cases in C3 -ring cleavage and migration of a mesityl group from P to a former ring C atom by C-C bond formation. Diphenylthiocyclopropenone (evidence for the presence of P=C bonds) and an imine derivative afforded similar products.

3H-Phosphaallenes Revisited: Facile Synthesis by Hydroalumination of Alkynylphosphines and ß-Elimination, Stability and Trapping of Transient Species by Coordination to Transition Metal Atoms.

A facile method for the efficient synthesis of 3H-phosphaallenes, R-P=C=C(H)-R', is presented, which comprises treatment of dialkynylphosphines with dialkylaluminium hydrides (hydroalumination) and elimination of aluminium alkynides from intermediate alkenyl-alkynylphosphines. The stability of the phosphaallenes depends on steric shielding by the substituents at phosphorus (aryl or CH(SiMe3 )2 groups). Only supermesityl compounds are persistent at room temperature in solution. This simple method starting with easily accessible dialkynylphosphines and commercially available aluminium hydrides (HAlEt2 , HAliBu2 ) allows the generation of transient species, which were trapped by coordination to transition metals. The η1 -coordination via a P-W bond was observed for tungsten, while the side-on coordination via the P=C bond resulted with platinum. Decomposition of the mesityl derivative yielded an unprecedented product, which may be formed by 1,3-H shift to the P atom, hydrophosphination of the P=C bond of a second phosphaallene and formation of a P-P bond.

Sterically Constrained Bicyclic Phosphines: A Class of Fascinating Compounds Suitable for Application in Small Molecule Activation and Coordination Chemistry.

Bicyclic phosphines with two annulated, electronically unsaturated five-membered heterocycles are available through facile routes. In most cases, their phosphorus atoms are bound to heteroatoms such as oxygen or nitrogen (PN3 or PN2 O), whereas homoleptic coordination by three sp2 -hybridized carbon atoms has been reported only recently. Steric strain causes unique reactivity. Oxidative addition of halogens, N-H or O-H bonds have afforded phosphoranes as valuable materials for secondary processes. Ring opening was identified as an important step for the understanding of these reactions and has been observed experimentally with a diphosphorus-based ring system. A PH2 derivative has been considered as a model system for small molecule activation, and hydrogen transfer to a diazo compound was observed experimentally. Several of these phosphines are excellent ligands for the coordination of transition-metal atoms. The very bulky PC3 compound has a basicity similar to that of PPh3 and may allow the synthesis of complexes with unusually low coordination numbers at the metal atoms. These phosphines found recently renewed interest as promising reagents in various secondary transformations such as the activation of σ-bonds or in coordination chemistry.

A P-H functionalized Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair - hydrophosphination of nitriles, ring opening with cyclopropenones and evidence of P[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond formation.

Hydroalumination of R-P(H)-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-tBu with bulky H-Al[CH(SiMe3)2]2 afforded the new P-H functionalized Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair R-P(H)-C[[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)-tBu]-AlR2 [R = CH(SiMe3)2; FLP 7]. A weak adduct of 7 with benzonitrile (8) was detected by NMR spectroscopy, but could not be isolated. tert-Butyl isocyanide afforded a similar, but isolable adduct (9), in which the isocyanide C atom was coordinated to aluminium. The unique reactivity of 7 became evident from its reactions with the heteroatom substituted nitriles PhO-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N, PhCH2S-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N and H8C4N-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N. Hydrophosphination of the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N triple bonds afforded imines at room temperature which were coordinated to the FLP by Al-N and P-C bonds to yield AlCPCN heterocycles (10 to 12). These processes depend on substrate activation by the FLP. Diphenylcyclopropenone and its sulphur derivative reacted with 7 by addition of the P-H bond to a C-C bond of the strained C3 ring and ring opening to afford the fragment (Z)-Ph-C(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]C(Ph)-C-X-Al (X = O, S). The C-O or C-S groups were coordinated to the FLP to yield AlCPCX heterocycles (13 and 14). The thiocarbonyl derived compound 14 contains an internally stabilized phosphenium cation with a localized P[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond, a trigonal planar coordinated P atom and a short P[double bond, length as m-dash]C distance (168.9 pm). Insight into formation mechanisms, the structural and energetic properties of FLP 7 and compounds 13 and 14 was gained by quantum chemical DFT calculations.

Reactions of an Aluminium/Phosphorus Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP) with α,ß-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds: FLPs as Efficient Two-Electron Reductants with the Formation of Enolates, a cis-Enediolate, and an Allene.

The Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes2 P-C(AltBu)2 =C(H)Ph (1; Mes=mesityl) reacted as an efficient two-electron reductant with benzil to afford a cis-enediolate that was coordinated to the FLP through P-O and Al-O bonds and the formation of a seven-membered heterocycle (2). The phosphorus atom is oxidised from +III to +V. Similar heterocycles (3 a to 3 f) were formed if 1 was treated with various enones (acrolein, acrylate, acrylamide). The resulting enolates are bound to the FLP through P-C and Al-O bonds. Cyclopropenone gave an adduct (4) with the C=O bond coordinated by P and Al. Ynones gave a fascinating variety of different structures. 1,3-Diphenylprop-2-yn-1-one afforded a remarkable allene-type moiety with two cumulated C=C bonds (5); 3-hexyn-2-one yielded a ligand with two conjugated C=C bonds by C-H bond activation at the carbonyl methyl group (7); and 4-(trimethylsilyl)-3-butyn-2-one reacted by C-H bond cleavage, formation of an enolate group with a terminal C=C bond, and shift of the proton to the P atom (8). The C≡C bond was not affected. Allene compound 5 rearranged at elevated temperature and in daylight through the formation of a tricyclic compound by C-H bond activation and C-C bond formation. DFT calculations on this unusual rearrangement suggest insertion of the central allene C atom into the C-H bond of a methyl group and the intermediate formation of a C3 ring.

A Sterically Constrained Tricyclic PC3 Phosphine: Coordination Behavior and Insertion of Chalcogen Atoms into P-C Bonds.

A tricyclic phosphine has been generated that has a rigid molecular backbone with the P atoms exclusively bound to C(sp2 ) atoms as well as a very large Tolman angle and buried volume. It is an interesting new ligand in coordination chemistry (Au, Pd complexes) and shows unusual insertion reactions into its endocyclic P-C bonds facilitated by its inherent molecular strain.

Structure and reactivity of an Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair bearing relatively small substituents at aluminium.

Reaction of Mes2P─C≡C─Ph (Mes = mesityl) with dineopentylaluminium hydride afforded by hydroalumination a geminal Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair (FLP; 4). Its steric shielding is relatively low, and its reactivity in various secondary reactions is less hindered by steric repulsion than observed for related compounds having bulkier groups attached to aluminium. FLP 4 yielded adducts with Me3C─NCO or benzaldehyde via the formation of Al-O and P-C bonds. Trimethylsilyl azide reacted with 4 under surprisingly mild conditions to afford a nitrene complex by spontaneous N2 elimination below room temperature. A carbodiimide molecule was coordinated via one of the C=N bonds to form a five-membered AlCPNC heterocycle with an intact C=N bond in an exocyclic position. A very large molecule was obtained by the reaction of two equivalents of 4 with a bifunctional methylene-bridged phenylene isocyanate precursor.This article is part of the themed issue 'Frustrated Lewis pair chemistry'.

Halogenated triphenylgallium and -indium in frustrated Lewis pair activations and hydrogenation catalysis.

The Lewis acids Ga(C6F5)3, In(C6F5)3 and Ga(C6Cl5)3 are prepared and their Lewis acidity has been probed experimentally and computationally. The species Ga(C6F5)3 and In(C6F5)3 in conjunction with phosphine donors are shown to heterolytically split H2 and catalyse the hydrogenation of an imine. In addition, frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) derived from Ga(C6F5)3 and In(C6F5)3 and phosphines react with diphenyldisulfide to phosphoniumgallates or indates of the form [tBu3PSPh][PhSE(C6F5)3] and [tBu3PSPh][(µ-SPh)(E(C6F5)3)2] (E = Ga, In). The potential of the FLPs based on Ga(C6F5)3, In(C6F5)3 and Ga(C6Cl5)3 and phosphines is also shown in reactions with phenylacetylene to give pure or mixtures of the products [tBu3PH][PhCCE(C6X5)3] and R3P(Ph)C=C(H)E(C6X5)3 A number of these species are crystallographically characterized. The implications for the use of these species in FLP chemistry are considered.This article is part of the themed issue 'Frustrated Lewis pair chemistry'.

Facile Modulation of FLP Properties: A Phosphinylvinyl Grignard Reagent and Ga/P- and In/P2 -Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs.

An Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reacted with PhMgCl by an unexpected transmetalation and formation of a phosphinylvinyl Grignard reagent. This compound is well suited for the transfer of the basic FLP component to other Lewis acidic metal atoms and allowed the generation of a Ga/P and an In/P2 FLP. The Ga FLP showed a behavior different to that of the corresponding Al FLP, the In FLP allowed the chelating coordination of an Au atom by Au-Cl bond activation.

Cooperative Activation of Isocyanates by Al-N-Based Active Lewis Pairs and the Generation of a C5 Chain by Simultaneous Formation of Two C-C Bonds.

The active Al/N Lewis pair, (Me3 C)2 Al-C(SiMe3 )=C(H)-N(CHMe-CH2 )2 CH2 (2), reacted with isocyanates to afford a fascinating variety of products. One equivalent of Ph-N=C=O yielded by the release of H-C≡C-SiMe3 an urea-type ligand which coordinated the Al atom in a chelating manner (4). Dipp-N=C=O gave a similar product, but the bulky substituent hindered the approach of the N-aryl group to Al. A situation similar to that of frustrated Lewis pairs resulted in the coordination of the alkyne to the Al and N atoms (6) by C-H bond activation. Dual insertion was observed upon treatment of 2 with two equivalents of isocyanates (8 to 11). The preferred formation of cyclic oligomers is prevented by the specific cooperative properties of the Lewis pair. A metal-free dimeric isocyanate (13) was formed by hydrolysis. Replacement of the CMe3 groups in 2 by less bulky isobutyl groups (7) afforded the insertion of two isocyanate molecules into the Al-vinyl bonds without alkyne elimination. The resulting highly functionalised compound had a chain formed by two isocyanates and the organic backbone of the Lewis pair. Me3 C-N=C=O and 2 afforded a unique compound (14) in which an isocyanate ligand connects two molecules of 2 by the release of dimethylpiperidine. The combination of a C1 building block and two C2 groups gave an unsaturated branched C5 moiety by the simultaneous formation of two C-C bonds. The molecular structure showed an interaction between an Al atom and a C-C π-bond.

A Significant but Constrained Geometry Pt→Al Interaction: Fixation of CO2 and CS2, Activation of H2 and PhCONH2.

Reaction of the geminal PAl ligand [Mes2PC(═CHPh)AltBu2] (1) with [Pt(PPh3)2(ethylene)] affords the T-shape Pt complex [(1)Pt(PPh3)] (2). X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations reveal the presence of a significant Pt→Al interaction in 2, despite the strain associated with the four-membered cyclic structure. The Pt···Al distance is short [2.561(1) Å], the Al center is in a pyramidal environment [Σ(C-Al-C) = 346.6°], and the PCAl framework is strongly bent (98.3°). Release of the ring strain and formation of X→Al interactions (X = O, S, H) impart rich reactivity. Complex 2 reacts with CO2 to give the T-shape adduct 3 stabilized by an O→Al interaction, which is a rare example of a CO2 adduct of a group 10 metal and actually the first with η(1)-CO2 coordination. Reaction of 2 with CS2 affords the crystalline complex 4, in which the PPtP framework is bent, the CS2 molecule is η(2)-coordinated to Pt, and one S atom interacts with Al. The Pt complex 2 also smoothly reacts with H2 and benzamide PhCONH2 via oxidative addition of H-H and H-N bonds, respectively. The ensuing complexes 5 and 7 are stabilized by Pt-H→Al and Pt-NH-C(Ph) = O→Al bridging interactions, resulting in 5- and 7-membered metallacycles, respectively. DFT calculations have been performed in parallel with the experimental work. In particular, the mechanism of reaction of 2 with H2 has been thoroughly analyzed, and the role of the Lewis acid moiety has been delineated. These results generalize the concept of constrained geometry TM→LA interactions and demonstrate the ability of Al-based ambiphilic ligands to participate in TM/LA cooperative reactivity. They extend the scope of small molecule substrates prone to such cooperative activation and contribute to improve our knowledge of the underlying factors.

A P-H Functionalized Al/P Frustrated Lewis Pair: Substrate Activation and Selective Hydrogen Transfer.

Hydroalumination of an alkynylphosphine gave an unprecedented P-H functionalized frustrated Lewis pair (FLP). The reactive P-H group does not influence the typical FLP properties, but the activation of substrates follows a new reaction pattern involving hydrogen transfer to yield unusual compounds with phosphaurea, iminophosphine, or phosphanyltriazene structural motifs.

Hydroalumination of alkynyl-aminophosphines as a promising tool for the synthesis of unusual phosphines: P-N bond activation, a transient phosphaallene, a zwitterionic AlP2C2 heterocycle and a masked Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair.

Treatment of the new alkynyl-chlorophosphine, Mes-P(Cl)-C ≡ C-CMe3, with LiNR2 afforded various unprecedented aminophosphines, Mes-P(NR2)-C ≡ C-CMe3, which showed a fascinating diversity in their reactivity towards H-Al(t)Bu2. NMe2 and NEt2 derivatives yielded the hydroalumination products Mes-P(NR2)-C(Al(t)Bu2) = C(H)-CMe3 which have an Al-N and an activated P-N bond. Elimination of aluminium amide yielded the transient 3H-phosphaallene, Mes-P = C = C(H)-CMe3, which finally afforded a five-membered AlP2C2 heterocycle with an Al-P bond and two exocyclic C = C bonds. This heterocycle is directly formed with the sterically shielded (i)Pr2N- and dimethylpiperidinophosphines. A unique R2AlH adduct resulted from the NPh2 and N(SiMe3)2 substituted phosphines. It may be viewed as an Al/P-based frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) which coordinates an R2AlH moiety. The heterocyclic AlP2C2 compound is formed in the final step of this reaction. Hydroalumination with Et2AlH yielded [Mes-P(H)-C(AlEt2) = C(H)-CMe3]2 which features an Al2P2C2 heterocycle and two Al-P bonds. This dimer resembles the class of hidden or masked FLPs which show a reactivity similar to uncoordinated FLPs. Its unique structural motif is a P-H bond which may result in a new type of FLP chemistry.