Bis(triphenyl-phospho-ranyl-idene)ammonium iodide

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Crystallography
• Organophosphorus Chemistry

Background:

• Bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium hydroxide is a known reagent.
• Boron trihydroxide is a common boron source.
• Methyl iodide is a common alkylating agent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the compound obtained accidentally from the reaction mixture.
• To investigate the structural properties of the title compound, C(36)H(30)NP(2) (+)·I(-).

Main Methods:

• Accidental crystallization of a reaction mixture.
• X-ray crystallography to determine the crystal structure.

Main Results:

• The title compound, bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium iodide, was obtained.
• The asymmetric unit contains two independent bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium cations and two iodide anions.
• Non-linear central PNP angles (137.6(2)° and 134.4(2)°) and varied phenyl substituent conformations were observed.

Conclusions:

• The accidental crystallization provided a unique structural insight into bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium iodide.
• The observed structural features, including non-linear PNP angles, offer valuable data for organophosphorus chemistry research.