Chemoselective Post-Synthesis Modification of Pyridyl-Substituted, Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles: Cationic Ligands for Coordination Chemistry.

Triazaphospholes are potential polydentate ligands due to the presence of both phosphorus and nitrogen donor atoms within the aromatic 5-membered heterocycle. The incorporation of an additional pyridyl-substituent opens up the possibility of a post-synthesis modification via chemoselective and also stepwise alkylation exclusively of the nitrogen atoms. This can be controlled by the choice and by the stoichiometry of the electrophile and allows the targeted synthesis of a variety of novel mono- and dicationic ligands. Reaction with Cu(I)-halides causes the formation of cuprates of the type [CuXn](n-1)-, which enables coordination of the π-acidic phosphorus donor to the negatively charged metal core, which is favored over the coordination by a strongly σ-donating nitrogen atom. The use of cationic triazaphosphole derivatives can be used as a strategy to enforce the coordination of the ligand to an electron rich metal solely via the phosphorus atom. However, there is a subtle balance between the formation of either coordination polymers or dimeric structures, as the substitution pattern on the heterocycle and the nature of the halide have a large influence on the coordination motifs formed.

A new access to diazaphospholes via cycloaddition-cycloreversion reactions on triazaphospholes.

A novel bis-CF3-substituted diazaphosphole was synthesized selectively from hexafluoro-2-butyne and a 3H-1,2,3,4-triazaphosphole derivative. The [4+2] cycloaddition and subsequent cycloreversion reaction under elimination of pivaloyl nitrile affords the product in high yield. The heterocycle coordinates via the phosphorus atom to a W(CO)5-fragment and shows stronger π-accepting properties than the triazaphosphole.

Synthesis, Electronic Properties and OLED Devices of Chromophores Based on λ5 -Phosphinines.

A new series of 2,4,6-triaryl-λ5 -phosphinines have been synthesized that contain different substituents both on the carbon backbone and the phosphorus atom of the six-membered heterocycle. Their optical and redox properties were studied in detail, supported by in-depth theoretical calculations. The modularity of the synthetic strategy allowed the establishment of structure-property relationships for this class of compounds and an OLED based on a blue phosphinine emitter could be developed for the first time.

Pyridyl-Functionalized 1-Phosphabarrelene: Synthesis, Coordination Chemistry and Photochemical di-π-Methane Rearrangement.

The [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenyl-λ3 -phosphinine with the highly reactive dienophile hexafluoro-2-butyne has been studied and the first pyridyl-functionalized 1-phosphabarrelene was obtained and structurally characterized. Although monodentate CF3 -1-phosphabarrelenes show only a poor coordination ability, the chelating nature of the novel P,N-hybrid ligand gives access to various transition-metal complexes. Upon irradiation with UV light, the pyridyl-functionalized 1-phosphabarrelene undergoes a rather selective di-π-methane rearrangement in the coordination sphere of the metal center, leading to the formation of a complex based on a hitherto unknown pyridyl-functionalized 5-phosphasemibullvalene derivative. DFT calculations provide first insights into the mechanism of this reaction.

Triazaphospholenium Tetrafluoroborate: A Phosphorus Analogue of a 1,2,3-Triazole-Derived Carbene.

3H-1,2,3,4-Triazaphosphole derivatives can be selectively alkylated with Meerwein's reagent at the most nucleophilic nitrogen atom. According to the principle of valence isoelectronicity, the corresponding phosphorus heterocycle represents the first formal phosphorus analogue of the well-known 1,2,3-triazolylidenes (mesoionic carbenes). Theoretical calculations revealed that the cation in triazaphospholenium tetrafluoroborate is an aromatic system with a high degree of π-conjugation. First investigations showed that the cationic phosphorus heterocycle can stabilize a [Cu2 Br4 ]2- dianion by formation of a neutral coordination compound with an unusual bonding situation between phosphorus and copper(I).

Clicking the Arsenic-Carbon Triple Bond: An Entry into a New Class of Arsenic Heterocycles.

Arsaalkynes can undergo regioselective and quantitative [3+2] cycloaddition reactions with organic azides to give hitherto unknown 3H-1,2,3,4-triazaarsole derivatives. The reaction product was obtained as a white, air- and moisture-stable solid, and the presence of a planar, five-membered arsenic heterocycle was unambiguously verified by means of X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations gave insight into the electronic structure of these novel compounds compared to tetrazoles and triazaphospholes. The coordination chemistry towards Re(I) was investigated and compared with the structurally related phosphorus-containing ligand. These preliminary investigations pave the way for a new class of arsenic heterocycles and fill the gap between the azaarsoles already known.