Reactivity of a Sterically Unencumbered α‐Borylated Phosphorus Ylide towards Small Molecules

Abstract

The influence of substituents on α‐borylated phosphorus ylides (α‐BCPs) has been investigated in a combined experimental and quantum chemical approach. The synthesis and characterization of Me3PC(H)B(iBu)2 (1), consisting of small Me substituents on phosphorous and iBu residues on boron, is reported. Compound 1 is accessible through a novel synthetic approach, which has been further elucidated through DFT studies. The reactivity of 1 towards various small molecules was probed and compared with that of a previously published derivative, Ph3PC(Me)BEt2 (2). Both α‐BCPs react with NH3 to undergo heterolytic N−H bond cleavage. Different di‐ and trimeric ring structures were observed in the reaction products of 1 with CO and CO2. With PhNCO and PHNCS, the expected insertion products [Me3PC(H)(PhNCO)B(iBu)2] and [Me3PC(H)(PhNCS)B(iBu)2], respectively, were isolated.

Diarylpnictogenyldialkylalanes─Synthesis, Structures, Bonding Analysis, and CO2 Capture

“…This can be observed with the reaction of 1a , which yields directly the monomeric carbamate form 5c instead of the dimeric form with two aluminum atoms bridged by two chelating PhE–CO 2 moieties. It is worth mentioning that comparable reactivities have been observed, and similar reaction mechanisms have been proposed before, for the reaction of CO 2 with phosphanylboranes, phosphorus ylides, and FLP-type systems. − …”