Chemistry of the phosphinidene oxide ligand

Reaction of [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR*)(CO)4] with DBU followed by O2 gives the first anionic phosphinidene oxide complex (H-DBU)[MoCp{P(O)R*}(CO)2] (1) (DBU = 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene; R* = 2,4,6-C6H2tBu3). This anion displays three different nucleophilic sites located at the O, P, and Mo atoms, as illustrated by the reactions reported. Thus, reaction of 1 with excess HBF4.OEt2 gave the fluorophosphide complex [MoCp(PFR*)(CO)2] via the hidroxophosphide intermediate [MoCp{PR*(OH)}(CO)2]. Related alkoxyphosphide compounds [MoCp{P(OR)R*}(CO)2] (R = Me, C(O)Ph) were prepared by reaction of 1 with [Me3O]BF4 and PhC(O)Cl, respectively, whereas reaction of 1 with MeI or C3H5Br gave the P,O-bound phosphinite complexes [MoCp(kappa2-OPRR*)(CO)2] (R = Me, C3H5). Metal-based electrophiles were found to bind at either O or Mo positions. Thus, reaction of 1 with [ZrCl2Cp2] gave the phosphinidene oxide bridged [MoCp{P(OZrClCp2)R*}(CO)2], whereas reaction with SnPh3Cl gave trans-[MoCp{P(O)R*}(CO)2(SnPh3)], an heterometallic complex having an intact terminal P(O)R* ligand.