Utilising an anilido-imino ligand to stabilise zinc-phosphanide complexes: reactivity and fluorescent properties

A series of zinc complexes bearing the anilido-imino ligand [(o-C6H4{N(C6H3iPr2)}{C(CH3) = NC6H3iPr2})] [(LDipp)ZnX] has been generated. This includes two amide derivatives, [(LDipp)Zn(N{SiMe3}2)] and [(LDipp)Zn(NH{Dipp})] and two phosphanide derivatives, [(LDipp)ZnPCy2] and [(LDipp)ZnPPh2]. The chemistry of the phosphanide complexes towards chalcogens was examined, with sulfur, selenium and tellurium oxidising the phosphorus centre of the dicylohexylphosphanide complex [(LDipp)ZnPCy2] to form [(LDipp)Zn(E)2PCy2] (E = S, Se, Te). Addition of tellurium to the diphenylphosphanide complex [(LDipp)ZnPPh2] results in formation of Ph2PPPh2 and [(LDipp)ZnTeZn(LDipp)]. The absorption and emission properties of these complexes was examined and the quantum yields are highly dependent upon the non-ancillary ligand X.