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Sousa-Silva C, Seager S, Ranjan S, Petkowski JJ, Zhan Z, Hu R, Bains W. Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:235-268. [PMID: 31755740 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A long-term goal of exoplanet studies is the identification and detection of biosignature gases. Beyond the most discussed biosignature gas O2, only a handful of gases have been considered in detail. In this study, we evaluate phosphine (PH3). On Earth, PH3 is associated with anaerobic ecosystems, and as such, it is a potential biosignature gas in anoxic exoplanets. We simulate the atmospheres of habitable terrestrial planets with CO2- and H2-dominated atmospheres and find that PH3 can accumulate to detectable concentrations on planets with surface production fluxes of 1010 to 1014 cm-2 s-1 (corresponding to surface concentrations of 10s of ppb to 100s of ppm), depending on atmospheric composition and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. While high, the surface flux values are comparable to the global terrestrial production rate of methane or CH4 (1011 cm-2 s-1) and below the maximum local terrestrial PH3 production rate (1014 cm-2 s-1). As with other gases, PH3 can more readily accumulate on low-UV planets, for example, planets orbiting quiet M dwarfs or with a photochemically generated UV shield. PH3 has three strong spectral features such that in any atmosphere scenario one of the three will be unique compared with other dominant spectroscopic molecules. Phosphine's weakness as a biosignature gas is its high reactivity, requiring high outgassing rates for detectability. We calculate that tens of hours of JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) time are required for a potential detection of PH3. Yet, because PH3 is spectrally active in the same wavelength regions as other atmospherically important molecules (such as H2O and CH4), searches for PH3 can be carried out at no additional observational cost to searches for other molecular species relevant to characterizing exoplanet habitability. Phosphine is a promising biosignature gas, as it has no known abiotic false positives on terrestrial planets from any source that could generate the high fluxes required for detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Sousa-Silva
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Physics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Seager
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Physics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sukrit Ranjan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- SCOL Postdoctoral Fellow
| | - Janusz Jurand Petkowski
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Zhuchang Zhan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Renyu Hu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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Bains W, Petkowski JJ, Sousa-Silva C, Seager S. Trivalent Phosphorus and Phosphines as Components of Biochemistry in Anoxic Environments. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:885-902. [PMID: 30896974 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus is an essential element for all life on Earth, yet trivalent phosphorus (e.g., in phosphines) appears to be almost completely absent from biology. Instead phosphorus is utilized by life almost exclusively as phosphate, apart from a small contingent of other pentavalent phosphorus compounds containing structurally similar chemical groups. In this work, we address four previously stated arguments as to why life does not explore trivalent phosphorus: (1) precedent (lack of confirmed instances of trivalent phosphorus in biochemicals suggests that life does not have the means to exploit this chemistry), (2) thermodynamic limitations (synthesizing trivalent phosphorus compounds is too energetically costly), (3) stability (phosphines are too reactive and readily oxidize in an oxygen (O2)-rich atmosphere), and (4) toxicity (the trivalent phosphorus compounds are broadly toxic). We argue that the first two of these arguments are invalid, and the third and fourth arguments only apply to the O2-rich environment of modern Earth. Specifically, both the reactivity and toxicity of phosphines are specific to aerobic life and strictly dependent on O2-rich environment. We postulate that anaerobic life persisting in anoxic (O2-free) environments may exploit trivalent phosphorus chemistry much more extensively. We review the production of trivalent phosphorus compounds by anaerobic organisms, including phosphine gas and an alkyl phosphine, phospholane. We suggest that the failure to find more such compounds in modern terrestrial life may be a result of the strong bias of the search for natural products toward aerobic organisms. We postulate that a more thorough identification of metabolites of the anaerobic biosphere could reveal many more trivalent phosphorus compounds. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our work for the origin and early evolution of life, and suggest that trivalent phosphorus compounds could be valuable markers for both extraterrestrial life and the Shadow Biosphere on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janusz Jurand Petkowski
- 2Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Clara Sousa-Silva
- 2Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Seager
- 2Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- 3Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- 4Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Lapshin IV, Basalov IV, Lyssenko KA, Cherkasov AV, Trifonov AA. CaII, YbIIand SmIIBis(Amido) Complexes Coordinated by NHC Ligands: Efficient Catalysts for Highly Regio‐ and Chemoselective Consecutive Hydrophosphinations with PH3. Chemistry 2018; 25:459-463. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201804549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan V. Lapshin
- G. A. Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry ofRussian Academy of Sciences (RAS) 603950, 49 Tropinina str. Nizhny Novgorod, GSP-445 Russia
| | - Ivan V. Basalov
- G. A. Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry ofRussian Academy of Sciences (RAS) 603950, 49 Tropinina str. Nizhny Novgorod, GSP-445 Russia
| | - Konstantin A. Lyssenko
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds ofRussian Academy of Sciences 119991 28 Vavilova str. Moscow, GSP-1 Russia
| | - Anton V. Cherkasov
- G. A. Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry ofRussian Academy of Sciences (RAS) 603950, 49 Tropinina str. Nizhny Novgorod, GSP-445 Russia
| | - Alexander A. Trifonov
- G. A. Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry ofRussian Academy of Sciences (RAS) 603950, 49 Tropinina str. Nizhny Novgorod, GSP-445 Russia
- A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds ofRussian Academy of Sciences 119991 28 Vavilova str. Moscow, GSP-1 Russia
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Keane TC. Mechanism for the Coupled Photochemistry of Ammonia and Acetylene: Implications for Giant Planets, Comets and Interstellar Organic Synthesis. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2017; 47:223-248. [PMID: 28791552 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-017-9545-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory studies provide a fundamental understanding of photochemical processes in planetary atmospheres. Photochemical reactions taking place on giant planets like Jupiter and possibly comets and the interstellar medium are the subject of this research. Reaction pathways are proposed for the coupled photochemistry of NH3 (ammonia) and C2H2 (acetylene) within the context Jupiter's atmosphere. We then extend the discussion to the Great Red Spot, Extra-Solar Giant Planets, Comets and Interstellar Organic Synthesis. Reaction rates in the form of quantum yields were measured for the decomposition of reactants and the formation of products and stable intermediates: HCN (hydrogen cyanide), CH3CN (acetonitrile), CH3CH = N-N = CHCH3 (acetaldazine), CH3CH = N-NH2 (acetaldehyde hydrazone), C2H5NH2 (ethylamine), CH3NH2 (methylamine) and C2H4 (ethene) in the photolysis of NH3/C2H2 mixtures. Some of these compounds, formed in our investigation of pathways for HCN synthesis, were not encountered previously in observational, theoretical or laboratory photochemical studies. The quantum yields obtained allowed for the formulation of a reaction mechanism that attempts to explain the observed results under varying experimental conditions. In general, the results of this work are consistent with the initial observations of Ferris and Ishikawa (1988). However, their proposed reaction pathway which centers on the photolysis of CH3CH = N-N = CHCH3 does not explain all of the results obtained in this study. The formation of CH3CH = N-N = CHCH3 by a radical combination reaction of CH3CH = N• was shown in this work to be inconsistent with other experiments where the CH3CH = N• radical is thought to form but where no CH3CH = N-N = CHCH3 was detected. The importance of the role of H atom abstraction reactions was demonstrated and an alternative pathway for CH3CH = N-N = CHCH3 formation involving nucleophilic reaction between N2H4 and CH3CH = NH is advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Keane
- Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Studies and Emerging Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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Wauters I, Debrouwer W, Stevens CV. Preparation of phosphines through C-P bond formation. Beilstein J Org Chem 2014; 10:1064-96. [PMID: 24991257 PMCID: PMC4077473 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphines are an important class of ligands in the field of metal-catalysis. This has spurred the development of new routes toward functionalized phosphines. Some of the most important C–P bond formation strategies were reviewed and organized according to the hybridization of carbon in the newly formed C–P bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Wauters
- Research Group SynBioC, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Debrouwer
- Research Group SynBioC, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian V Stevens
- Research Group SynBioC, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Borštnar R, Repič M, Kržan M, Mavri J, Vianello R. Irreversible Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase B by the Antiparkinsonian Medicines Rasagiline and Selegiline: A Computational Study. European J Org Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201100873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Cole GC, Møllendal H, Khater B, Guillemin JC. Synthesis and Characterization of (E)- and (Z)-3-Mercapto-2-propenenitrile. Microwave Spectrum of the Z-Isomer. J Phys Chem A 2007; 111:1259-64. [PMID: 17263518 DOI: 10.1021/jp0672508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The kinetically unstable compound 3-mercapto-2-propenenitrile (HS-CH=CH-C[triple bond]N) has been prepared for the first time by flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 degrees C of 3-(tert-butylthio)-2-propenenitrile with a yield of 77% and a Z:E ratio of 8:1. Several deuterium and 15N isotopologues were also prepared using isotopically enriched compounds. Quantum chemical calculations of the structural and conformational properties of the Z- and E-isomers were undertaken at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, and G3 levels of theory. These methods all predict that the Z- and the E-forms each have two "stable" planar rotameric forms with the H-S-C=C link of atoms in either a synperiplanar or an antiperiplanar conformation, with the synperiplanar form of the Z-isomer as the global minimum. The Z-isomer has been investigated by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy. Spectra attributable to the parent and three deuterium-substituted isotopologues of a single conformer were recorded and assigned. Additionally, the spectrum belonging to the first excited state of the lowest bending vibration was assigned. The ground-state rotational constants obtained by the least-squares analysis of these transitions were found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding approximate equilibrium values generated by the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. The preferred conformer of this molecule was found to have a synperiplanar arrangement of the H-S-C=C chain of atoms and a planar or nearly planar geometry, with a stabilizing intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the H atom of the thiol group and pi-electron density associated with the C[triple bond]N triple bond. The possible astrochemical/astrobiological significance of this compound is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Cole
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
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Begue D, Benidar A, Pouchan C. The vibrational spectra of vinylphosphine revisited: Infrared and theoretical studies from CCSD(T) and DFT anharmonic potential. Chem Phys Lett 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2006.08.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Guillemin JC, Riague EH, Gal JF, Maria PC, Mó O, Yáñez M. Acidity Trends in α,β-Unsaturated Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium Derivatives: Comparison with C-, Si-, Ge-, Sn-, N-, P-, As-, and Sb-Containing Analogues. Chemistry 2005; 11:2145-53. [PMID: 15714535 DOI: 10.1002/chem.200400989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The gas-phase acidity of CH3-CH2XH (X=S, Se, Te), CH2=CHXH (X=S, Se, Te) and PhXH (X=S, Se) compounds was measured by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. To analyze the role that unsaturation plays on the intrinsic acidity of these systems, a parallel theoretical study, in the framework of the G2 and the G2(MP2) theories, was carried out for all ethyl, ethenyl (vinyl), ethynyl, and phenyl O-, S-, Se-, and Te-containing derivatives. Unsaturated compounds are stronger acids than their saturated analogues, because of the strong pi-electron donor ability of the heteroatoms that contributes to a large stabilization of the unsaturated anions. Ethynyl derivatives are stronger acids than vinyl compounds, while phenyl derivatives have an intrinsic acidity intermediate between that of the corresponding vinyl and ethynyl analogues. The CH2=CHXH vinyl compounds (enol-like) behave systematically as slightly stronger acids than their CH3-C(H)X (keto-like) tautomers. Vinyl derivatives are stronger acids than ethyl compounds, because the anion stabilization attributable to unsaturation is greater than that undergone in the neutral compounds. Conversely, the enhanced acidity of the ethynyl derivatives with respect to the vinyl compounds is due to two concomitant effects, the stabilization of the anion and the destabilization of the neutral compound. The acidities of ethyl, vinyl, and ethynyl derivatives containing heteroatoms of Groups 14, 15, and 16 of the periodic table are closely related, and reflect the differences in electronegativity of the CH3CH2-, CH2=CH-, and CH[triple chemical bond]C- groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Claude Guillemin
- Laboratoire de Synthèse et Activation de Biomolécules, UMR CNRS 6052, ENSCR, Institut de Chimie de Rennes, 35700 Rennes Cedex, France.
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Gusarova NK, Shaikhudinova SI, Arbuzova SN, Vakul'skaya TI, Sukhov BG, Sinegovskaya LM, Nikitin MV, Mal'kina AG, Chernysheva NA, Trofimov BA. Regio- and stereospecific addition of phosphines to cyanoacetylenes. Tetrahedron 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4020(03)00694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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del Carmen Sicilia M, Mó O, Yáñez M, Guillemin JC, Gal JF, Maria PC. Is allylphosphine a carbon or a phosphorus base in the gas phase? EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2003; 9:245-255. [PMID: 12939477 DOI: 10.1255/ejms.558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The gas-phase basicity of allylphosphine (2-propenylphosphine) was measured by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry techniques. A complete survey of the allylphosphine-H(+) potential energy surface, carried out through the use of high-level G2(MP2) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) calculations, allows us to conclude that, under low-pressure, low-energy ICR conditions, the interaction between the protonated reference base, B(ref)H(+), and allylphosphine leads to a complex in which B(ref)H(+) attaches to the phosphorus atom of allylphosphine, where the electrostatic potential is strongly attractive. Hence, in the first step only the phosphorus protonated species should be formed. Its isomerization to yield the C(beta)-protonated form, which is the global minimum of the potential energy surface, implies a very high activation barrier that cannot be overtaken under normal experimental ICR conditions. Therefore, the main conclusion of our study is that allylphosphine behaves as a phosphorus base in the gas phase, even though the C(beta)-protonated structure is the most stable protonated species. We have also shown that both C(beta)- and C(gamma)-protonation triggers a cyclization of the system. An analysis of the bonding of the different protonated species as compared with that of the neutral system is presented.
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Benidar A, Le Doucen R, Guillemin JC, Mó O, Yáñez M. Vibrational Spectra, DFT Calculations, and Assignments of the syn and the gauche Forms of Vinylphosphine. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2001; 205:252-260. [PMID: 11162212 DOI: 10.1006/jmsp.2000.8265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Infrared spectra (3500-600 cm(-1)) of vinylphosphine and its P-dideuterated derivative in the gas phase were recorded at 1 cm(-1) resolution. Both the infrared absorption bands of the syn and gauche conformers of the vinylphosphine were observed and assigned. The assignment was based on density functional theory calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level. The agreement between calculated and observed frequencies for both CH(2)&dbond;CHPH(2) and CH(2)&dbond;CHPD(2) was fairly good. The integrated intensities of isolated and overlapping vibrational bands were determined experimentally. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Benidar
- Equipe de Spectroscopie Infrarouge, Laboratoire PALMS, UMR 6627 CNRS, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, 35042, France
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Guillemin JC, Le Serre S, Lassalle L. Regioselectivity of the photochemical addition of phosphine to unsaturated hydrocarbons in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 1997; 19:1093-1102. [PMID: 11541338 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(97)00358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Phosphine (PH3) has been observed in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. We have studied the regioselectivity in the gaseous phase of the photochemical addition of PH3 to propene 1, propadiene 2, propyne 3, 1,3-butadiene 4 and 1,3-butadiyne 5. The photolysis were performed at 185 and 254 nm. The volatile products formed in these reactions were characterized by 1H and 31P NMR. The n-propylphosphine 6 and the isopropylphosphine 7 were the major products observed in the photolysis of PH3 with propene. The allylphosphine 8 was obtained when most of the light was absorbed by propene. This allylphosphine was the main product formed in the photolysis of PH3 in the presence of propadiene; the methylvinylphosphine 10 being not detected in these experiments, the reaction presents a very high regioselectivity. When most of the light was absorbed by propadiene, the propargylphosphine 9 was also observed. The photolysis of PH3 in the presence of propyne led to the E- and Z-1-propenylphosphines 12a,b and small amounts of methylvinylphosphine 10. Even when most of the light was absorbed by propyne, the propargylphosphine 9 was not observed. The Z-1-butene-3-ynylphosphine 13a and a mixture of primary phosphines containing the E-and Z-2-butenylphosphines 14a,b were obtained as major products when 1,3-butadiyne and 1,3-butadiene respectively where photolyzed with PH3. A high regioselectivity was thus observed in the photolysis of PH3 with an alkyne or an allene but alkenes led to mixtures of products.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Guillemin
- Laboratoire de Synthese et Activation de Biomolecules, URA CNRS, ENSCR, Rennes, France
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