Complexes of a Frustrated Lewis Pair-Supported P(-1) Ligand

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Main Group Chemistry
• Inorganic Synthesis

Background:

• Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) enable unique reactivity.
• Low-valent phosphorus (P(-1)) ligands are synthetically challenging.
• Metal phosphides are important materials and catalysts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel metal complexes supported by an intramolecular FLP.
• To explore the reactivity of a P(-1) ligand with zinc and other metals.
• To investigate new routes to metal phosphide species and phosphorus-containing compounds.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a monomeric zinc bis(phosphido) complex.
• Transmetallation reactions to form tellurium and phosphorus complexes.
• In situ reduction of PCl3 with FLP ligand.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.

Main Results:

• First monomeric zinc bis(phosphido) complex synthesized.
• New tellurium bis(phosphido) complex and PPCl2 adduct formed via transmetallation.
• Direct synthesis of PPCl2 adduct from PCl3 reduction.
• Characterization of a cobalt(-1) phosphaborene complex isoelectronic to olefins.

Conclusions:

• The intramolecular FLP ligand provides access to diverse low-valent phosphorus metal complexes.
• These complexes offer new avenues for studying metal-phosphorus bonding.
• The developed chemistry expands the scope of FLP-supported P(-1) ligand applications.