A Nontemplated Route to Macrocyclic Dibridgehead Diphosphorus Compounds: Crystallographic Characterization of a "Crossed-Chain" Variant of in/out Stereoisomers

Surface-Assisted Selective Air Oxidation of Phosphines Adsorbed on Activated Carbon

Trialkyl- and triarylphosphines readily adsorb onto the surface of porous activated carbon (AC) even in the absence of solvents through van der Waals interactions between the lone electron pair and the AC surface. This process has been proven by solid-state NMR techniques. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that the AC enables the fast and selective oxidation of adsorbed phosphines to phosphine oxides at ambient temperature in air. In solution, trialkylphosphines are oxidized to a variety of P(V) species when exposed to the atmosphere, while neat or dissolved triarylphosphines cannot be oxidized with air. When the trialkyl- and triarylphosphines PnBu3 (1), PEt3, (2), PnOct3 (3), PMetBu2 (4), PCy3 (5), and PPh3 (6) are adsorbed in a mono- or submonolayer on the surface of AC, in the absence of a solvent and at ambient temperature, they are quantitatively oxidized to the adsorbed phosphine oxides, 1ox-6ox, once air is admitted. No formation of any unwanted P(V) side products or water adducts is observed. The phosphine oxides can then be recovered in good yields by washing them off of the AC. The oxidation is likely facilitated by a radical activation of molecular oxygen due to delocalized electrons on the aromatic surface coating of AC, as proven by ESR. This easy and inexpensive oxidation method renders hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizers unnecessary and is broadly applicable to sterically hindered and even to air-stable triarylphosphines. Phosphines adsorbed at lower surface coverages on AC oxidize at a faster rate. All oxidation reactions were monitored by solution- and solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Molecules that Turn Themselves Inside-Out: Tuning in/out Equilibria and Homeomorphic Isomerization in Macrobicyclic Dibridgehead Diphosphines P((CH2 )n )3 P Newly Accessible by Earth-Abundant-Metal Templates

Photolyses of trans-Fe(CO)3 (P((CH2 )n )3 P) (n=10 (a), 12 (b), 14 (c), 16 (d), 18 (e)) in the presence of PMe3 provide the first economical and scalable route to macrobicyclic dibridgehead diphosphines P((CH2 )n )3 P (1). These are isolated as mixtures of in,in/out,out isomers that equilibrate with degenerate in,out/out,in isomers at 150 °C via pyramidal inversion at phosphorus. For the entire series, VT 31 P NMR data establish or bound Keq , rates, and activation parameters for a variety of phenomena, many of which involve homeomorphic isomerizations, topological processes by which certain molecules can turn themselves inside out (e. g., in,in⇌out,out). This provides the first detailed mapping of such trends in homologous series of aliphatic bicyclic compounds XE((CH2 )n )3 EX with any type of bridgehead. Isomeric diborane adducts 1 a,d ⋅ 2BH3 are also characterized. Crystal structures of out,out-1 a and in,in-1 a ⋅ 2BH3 aid isomer assignments and reveal unusual cage conformations.

Synthesis of Dimethyldisilabicycloalkanes: Cage-Size Effects on the Relative Stabilities between In,Out and Twist-Out,Out Forms

In large bicycloalkanes, several in/out forms exist, wherein substituents on the bridgehead atoms are oriented either outside or inside the cage. The relative stability between the in,out and twist-out,out forms, which can interconvert through homeomorphic conversion, was found to depend upon the cage size. The in,out form demonstrated thermodynamic stability in the smaller C10 derivative, whereas the twist-out,out form prevailed in the larger derivatives of C14 and C18 plausibly as a result of dispersion forces among the chains.

Syntheses, homeomorphic and configurational isomerizations, and structures of macrocyclic aliphatic dibridgehead diphosphines; molecules that turn themselves inside out

The diphosphine complexes cis- or trans-[upper bond 1 start]PtCl₂(P((CH₂) _n )₃P[upper bond 1 end]) (n = b/12, c/14, d/16, e/18) are demetalated by MC[triple bond, length as m-dash]X nucleophiles to give the title compounds (P((CH₂) _n )₃)P (3b-e, 91-71%). These "empty cages" react with PdCl₂ or PtCl₂ sources to afford trans-[upper bond 1 start]MCl₂(P((CH₂) _n )₃P[upper bond 1 end]). Low temperature ³¹P NMR spectra of 3b and c show two rapidly equilibrating species (3b, 86 : 14; 3c, 97 : 3), assigned based upon computational data to in,in (major) and out,out isomers. These interconvert by homeomorphic isomerizations, akin to turning articles of clothing inside out (3b/c: ΔH ^‡ 7.3/8.2 kcal mol^-1, ΔS ^‡ -19.4/-11.8 eu, minor to major). At 150 °C, 3b, c, e epimerize to (60-51) : (40-49) mixtures of (in,in/out,out) : in,out isomers, which are separated via the bis(borane) adducts 3b, c, e·2BH₃. The configurational stabilities of in,out-3b, c, e preclude phosphorus inversion in the interconversion of in,in and out,out isomers. Low temperature ³¹P NMR spectra of in,out-3b, c reveal degenerate in,out/out,in homeomorphic isomerizations (ΔG ^‡ _Tc 12.1, 8.5 kcal mol^-1). When (in,in/out,out)-3b, c, e are crystallized, out,out isomers are obtained, despite the preference for in,in isomers in solution. The lattice structures are analyzed, and the D ₃ symmetry of out,out-3c enables a particularly favorable packing motif. Similarly, (in,in/out,out)-3c, e·2BH₃ crystallize in out,out conformations, the former with a cycloalkane solvent guest inside.

Di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts: synthesis, characterization and application as oxidizers for the direct esterification of aldehydes

The di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts of water (1) and phosphine oxides p-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(C₉H₁₄) (2), o-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(C₉H₁₄) (3), and Cy₃PO·(HOO)₂C(C₉H₁₄) (4), as well as a CH₂Cl₂ adduct of a phosphole oxide dimer (8), have been created and investigated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and by Raman and IR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structures for 1-4 and 8 are reported. The IR and ³¹P NMR data are in accordance with strong hydrogen bonding of the di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts. The Raman ν(O-O) stretching bands of 1-4 prove that the peroxo groups are present in the solids. Selected di(hydroperoxy)alkane adducts, in combination with AlCl₃ as catalyst, have been applied for the direct oxidative esterification of n-nonyl aldehyde, benzaldehyde, p-methylbenzaldehyde, p-bromobenzaldehyde, and o-hydroxybenzaldehyde to the corresponding methyl esters. The esterification takes place in an inert atmosphere, under anhydrous and oxygen-free conditions, within a time frame of 45 minutes to 5 hours at room temperature. Hereby, two oxygen atoms per adduct assembly are active with respect to the quantitative transformation of the aldehyde into the ester.

Simultaneous synthesis and characterization of in/out-isomers of disilabicyclo[14.14.14]alkanes

Facile and simultaneous synthesis of diphenyl-disilabicyclo[14.14.14]alkane in/out-isomers was achieved by using organosilicon chemistry. Although the formation of several in/out-isomers would be conceivable, only two diastereomers, i.e. the (traditional-)out,out-isomer and the twist-out,out-isomer, could be isolated because of homeomorphic isomerization. Crystal structures of the diastereomers were confirmed.

Di(hydroperoxy)cycloalkane Adducts of Triarylphosphine Oxides: A Comprehensive Study Including Solid-State Structures and Association in Solution

Four new di(hydroperoxy)cycloalkane adducts (Ahn adducts) of p-Tol₃PO (1) and o-Tol₃PO (2), namely, p-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(CH₂)₅ (3), o-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(CH₂)₅ (4), p-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(CH₂)₆ (5), and o-Tol₃PO·(HOO)₂C(CH₂)₆ (6), have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their single crystal X-ray structures have been determined and analyzed. The ³¹P NMR data are in accordance with hydrogen bonding of the di(hydroperoxy)alkanes to the P═O groups of the phosphine oxides. Due to their high solubility in organic solvents, natural abundance ¹⁷O NMR spectra of 1-6 could be recorded, providing the signals for the P═O groups and additionally the two different oxygen nuclei in the O-OH groups in the adducts 3-6. The association and mobility of 3-6 were explored by ¹H DOSY (diffusion ordered spectroscopy) NMR, which indicated persistent hydrogen bonding of the adducts in solution. Competition experiments with phosphine oxides allowed ranking of the affinities of the di(hydroperoxy)cycloalkanes for the different phosphine oxide carriers. On the basis of variable temperature ³¹P NMR investigations, the Gibbs energies of activation ΔG^‡ for the adduct dissociation processes of 3-6 at different temperatures, as well as the enthalpy ΔH^‡ and entropy ΔS^‡ of activation, have been determined. IR spectroscopy of 3-6 corroborated the hydrogen bonding, and in the Raman spectra, the ν(O-O) stretching bands have been identified, confirming the presence of peroxy groups in the solid materials. The high solubilities in selected organic solvents have been quantified.

Self-Assembly, Adaptive Response, and in,out-Stereoisomerism of Large Orthoformate Cryptands

We report on triethylene glycol-based orthoformate cryptands, which adapt their bridgehead configurations in response to metal templates and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in a complex manner. In contrast to smaller 1.1.1-orthoformate cryptands, the inversion from out,out-2.2.2 to in,in-2.2.2 occurs spontaneously by thermal homeomorphic isomerization, i. e., without bond breakage. The global thermodynamic minimum of the entire network, which includes an unprecedented third isomer (in,out-2.2.2), could only be reached under conditions that facilitate dynamic covalent exchange. Both inversion processes were studied in detail, including DFT calculations and MD simulations, which were particularly helpful for explaining differences between equilibrium compositions in solvents chloroform and acetonitrile. Unexpectedly, the system could be driven to the in,out-2.2.2 state by using a metal template with a size mismatch with respect to the out,out-2.2.2 cage.

Disentangling different modes of mobility for triphenylphosphine oxide adsorbed on alumina

Triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO, 1) has been adsorbed on neutral alumina by dry grinding of the components in the absence of a solvent. The adsorption proves translational mobility of 1 on the surface of alumina. Different surface coverages from a densely packed monolayer (99% coverage) to a dilute sub-monolayer (25%) have been produced. The samples have been studied by diverse multinuclear ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P variable temperature solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The interactions of 1 with the surface are determined by hydrogen bonding of the P=O group to OH groups on the surface. The ³¹P solid-state NMR spectra prove that even at low temperatures, the molecules of 1 are highly mobile on the surface. Using T₁ and T₂ relaxation time analyses of the ³¹P resonance in the solid state at variable temperatures allowed the identification and quantification of two different modes of mobility. Besides the translational mobility that consists of jumps from one hydrogen-bonding OH site on the surface to an adjacent one, a rotational movement around the axis defined by the P=O group of 1 occurs.

Hydrogen peroxide adducts of triarylphosphine oxides

Five new hydrogen peroxide adducts of phosphine oxides (p-Tol₃PO·H₂O₂)₂ (1), (o-Tol₃PO·H₂O₂)₂ (2), (o-Tol₂PhPO·H₂O₂)₂ (3), (p-Tol₃PO)₂·H₂O₂ (4), and (o-TolPh₂PO)₂·H₂O₂ (5), and the water adduct (o-Tol₂PhPO·H₂O)₂ (6) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their single crystal X-ray structures have been determined and analyzed. The IR and ³¹P NMR data are in accordance with strong hydrogen bonding of the hydrogen peroxide. The mono- versus dimeric nature of the adduct assemblies has been investigated by DOSY NMR experiments. Raman spectroscopy of the symmetric adducts and the ν(O-O) stretching bands confirm the presence of hydrogen-bonded hydrogen peroxide in the solid materials. The solubilities in organic solvents have been quantified. Due to the high solubilities of 1-6 in organic solvents their ¹⁷O NMR spectra could be recorded in natural abundance, providing well-resolved signals for the P[double bond, length as m-dash]O and O-O groups. The adducts 1-5 have been probed regarding their stability in solution at 105 °C. The decomposition of the adduct 1 takes place by loss of the active oxygen atoms in two steps.

Structures and Dynamics of Secondary and Tertiary Alkylphosphine Oxides Adsorbed on Silica

The three secondary phosphine oxides [CH₂ =CH(CH₂ )₄ ]₂ HPO (1), [CH₂ =CH(CH₂ )₅ ]₂ HPO (2), and [CH₂ =CH(CH₂ )₆ ]₂ HPO (3), and two diphosphine dioxides, {[CH₂ =CH(CH₂ )₆ ]₂ PO(CH₂ )₇ }₂ (4) and {[CH₂ =CH(CH₂ )₆ ]₂ PO(CH₂ )₄ }₂ (5), incorporating long methylene chains, are described. The single crystal X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 5 have been determined. The phosphine oxides 3, 4, and 5 have been adsorbed on silica in submonolayer quantities to give 3 a-5 a. The ¹ H, ¹³ C, and ³¹ P solid-state NMR spectra of polycrystalline 3-5 have been analyzed and compared with those of 3 a-5 a. The changes of the solid-state NMR characteristics upon adsorption and the surface mobilities of the phosphine oxides are discussed.

Selective synthesis and stabilization of peroxides via phosphine oxides

MEKPO (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) and other peroxides can be synthesized selectively and stabilized as hydrogen-bonded phosphine oxide adducts.

Non-metal-templated approaches to bis(borane) derivatives of macrocyclic dibridgehead diphosphines via alkene metathesis

Two routes to the title compounds are evaluated. First, a ca. 0.01 M CH₂Cl₂ solution of H₃B·P((CH₂)₆CH=CH₂)₃ (1·BH₃) is treated with 5 mol % of Grubbs' first generation catalyst (0 °C to reflux), followed by H₂ (5 bar) and Wilkinson's catalyst (55 °C). Column chromatography affords H₃B·P(n-C₈H₁₇)₃ (1%), H₃B·P((CH₂)₁₃CH₂)(n-C₈H₁₇) (8%; see text for tie bars that indicate additional phosphorus–carbon linkages, which are coded in the abstract with italics), H₃B·P((CH₂)₁₃CH₂)((CH₂)₁₄)P((CH₂)₁₃CH₂)·BH₃ (6·2BH₃, 10%), in,out-H₃B·P((CH₂)₁₄)₃P·BH₃ (in,out-2·2BH₃, 4%) and the stereoisomer (in,in/out,out)-2·2BH₃ (2%). Four of these structures are verified by independent syntheses. Second, 1,14-tetradecanedioic acid is converted (reduction, bromination, Arbuzov reaction, LiAlH₄) to H₂P((CH₂)₁₄)PH₂ (10; 76% overall yield). The reaction with H₃B·SMe₂ gives 10·2BH₃, which is treated with n-BuLi (4.4 equiv) and Br(CH₂)₆CH=CH₂ (4.0 equiv) to afford the tetraalkenyl precursor (H₂C=CH(CH₂)₆)₂(H₃B)P((CH₂)₁₄)P(BH₃)((CH₂)₆CH=CH₂)₂ (11·2BH₃; 18%). Alternative approaches to 11·2BH₃ (e.g., via 11) were unsuccessful. An analogous metathesis/hydrogenation/chromatography sequence with 11·2BH₃ (0.0010 M in CH₂Cl₂) gives 6·2BH₃ (5%), in,out-2·2BH₃ (6%), and (in,in/out,out)-2·2BH₃ (7%). Despite the doubled yield of 2·2BH₃, the longer synthesis of 11·2BH₃ vs 1·BH₃ renders the two routes a toss-up; neither compares favorably with precious metal templated syntheses.