Preparation and x-ray structures of alkali-metal derivatives of the ambidentate anions [tBuN(E)P(mu-NtBu)2P(E)NtBu]2- (E = S, Se) and [tBuN(Se)P(mu-NtBu)2PN(H)tBu)]-

Main Group Molecular Switches with Swivel Bifurcated to Trifurcated Hydrogen Bond Mode of Action

Artificial molecular machines have captured the full attention of the scientific community since Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart, and Ben Feringa were awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The past and current developments in molecular machinery (rotaxanes, rotors, and switches) primarily rely on organic-based compounds as molecular building blocks for their assembly and future development. In contrast, the main group chemical space has not been traditionally part of the molecular machine domain. The oxidation states and valency ranges within the p-block provide a tremendous wealth of structures with various chemical properties. Such chemical diversity─when implemented in molecular machines─could become a transformative force in the field. Within this context, we have rationally designed a series of NH-bridged acyclic dimeric cyclodiphosphazane species, [(μ-NH){PE(μ-N^tBu)₂PE(NH^tBu)}₂] (E = O and S), bis-P^V₂N₂, displaying bimodal bifurcated R²₁(8) and trifurcated R³₁(8,8) hydrogen bonding motifs. The reported species reversibly switch their topological arrangement in the presence and absence of anions. Our results underscore these species as versatile building blocks for molecular machines and switches, as well as supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering based on cyclophosphazane frameworks.

Mechanosynthesis of Higher-Order Cocrystals: Tuning Order, Functionality and Size in Cocrystal Design*

The ability to rationally design and predictably construct crystalline solids has been the hallmark of crystal engineering research. To date, numerous examples of multicomponent crystals comprising organic molecules have been reported. However, the crystal engineering of cocrystals comprising both organic and inorganic chemical units is still poorly understood and mostly unexplored. Here, we report a new diverse set of higher-order cocrystals (HOCs) based on the structurally versatile-yet largely unexplored-phosph(V/V)azane heterosynthon building block. The novel ternary and quaternary cocrystals reported are held together by synergistic and orthogonal intermolecular interactions. Notably, the HOCs can be readily obtained either via sequential or one-pot mechanochemical methods. Computational modelling methods reveal that the HOCs are thermodynamically driven to form and that their mechanical properties strongly depend on the composition and intermolecular forces in the crystal, offering untapped potential for optimizing material properties.

Covalent and ionic bonding in bi- and tricyclic Group 15 amides: equidistant P-I and As-I bonds and fluxional cations

A series of trivalent Group 15 bis(tert-butylamido)cyclodiphosph(iii)azane element bi- and tricycles of the formulae {[(tBuNP)2(tBuN)2]ElX}, El = P, As, Sb, Bi, where X = Ph, OPh, OtBu, N3, hexamethyldisilylamide (HMDS), OTf, was synthesized from the corresponding chlorides via salt elimination. The ensuing compounds were studied spectroscopically and X-ray crystallographically with a particular focus on the length of the El-X bond. While the Group 15 element to phenyl and HMDS were of normal lengths and completely covalent, those to azide appeared to be partly ionic. The {[(tBuNP)2(tBuN)2]ElI} showed El-I bonds that were substantially longer than the typical element iodide bonds, suggesting a very high degree of polarity and bordering on ionic bonding. Finally, the triflate [(tBuNP)2(tBuN)2]P] + [SO3CF3]- proved to be an ion pair in the solid state. The antimony analog, however, showed a long covalent Sb-O bond in the solid state, although it appears to dissociate into ions in solution. The phosphonium triflate salt is fluxional and exhibits a previously unseen highly symmetrical structure in solution. The bonding trends from completely covalent to completely ionic are discussed in terms steric restrictions and the delocalization of charge in either the cation or the anion.

Charge-assisted phosph(v)azane anion receptors

Coordination of Cu(i) or Pd(ii) to seleno-cyclodiphosph(v)azanes of the type [RNH(Se)P(μ-NtBu)]2 results in positively charged anion receptor units which have increased anion affinity over the neutral seleno-phosph(v)azanes, due to the increase in electrostatic interactions between the receptor and the guest anions. The same effect is produced by replacement of one of the P[double bond, length as m-dash]Se units by a P-Me+ unit.

Organophosphorus-selenium/tellurium reagents: from synthesis to applications

Organic selenium- and tellurium-phosphorus compounds have found wide application as reagents in synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry, such as oxygen/chalcogen exchange, oxidation/reduction, nucleophilic/electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic addition, free radical addition, Diels–Alder reaction, cycloadditions, coordination, and so on. This chapter covers the main classes of phosphorus-selenium/tellurium reagents, including binary phosphorus-selenium/tellurium species, organophosphorus(III)-selenium/tellurium compounds, phosphorus(V)-selenides/tellurides, diselenophosphinates/ditellurophopshinates, diselenaphosphetane diselenides, Woollins’ reagent, phosphorus-selenium/tellurium amides, and imides. Given the huge amount of literature up to mid-2017, this overview is inevitably selective and will focus particularly on their synthesis, reactivity, and applications in synthetic and coordination chemistry.

New synthetic strategies leading to [RNPNR]- anions and the isolation of the [P(Nt-Bu)3]3- trianion

New and straightforward synthetic paths for the syntheses of [RNPNR]- anions (R = t-Bu (1) or CPh3 (6)) in the form of their tmeda- or thf-coordinated lithium salts are described. The attempts to isolate the sodium analogue [(Ph3CNPNCPh3)Na·(thf)x] (8) remained unsuccessful probably due to its high reactivity although its formation in the reaction of the parent cis-[(Ph3CNP)2(Ph3CNH)2] (5) with 2 eq. of sodium naphthalenide was corroborated by NMR spectroscopy. Importantly, when an excess of sodium naphthalenide was used in the reaction with 5, [(Ph3C)Na(thf)3] (9) was obtained along with a complex mixture of other by-products indicating the cleavage of the C-N bond in the starting material. Furthermore, the synthesis and the structural characterization of the [P(Nt-Bu)3]3- trianion as its trilithium salt [P(Nt-Bu)3Li3]2 (10) has been successfully achieved.

The chameleonic reactivity of dilithio bis(alkylamido)cyclodiphosph(iii)azanes with chlorophosphines

Analogous reactions do not necessarily give analogous products.

Formation and selection of the macrocycle [{(tBuN)P(μ-NtBu)}2(μ-Se)2{P(μ-NtBu)}2]3

The Se-bridged P^III/P^V phosphazane macrocycle [{(^tBuN)P^V(μ-N^tBu)}₂(μ-Se)₂{P^III(μ-N^tBu)}₂]₃ is obtained selectively using [Se(^tBuN)P(μ-N^tBu)]₂²⁻ as a nucleophilic component.

Isomerisation, reactivity and coordination chemistry of a new hybrid, multi-functional phosphazane

The unsymmetrical P^III/P^V cyclodiphosphazane [(S)(H)P(μ-N^tBu)₂PNH^tBu] provides entry into the mixed chalgogenide dianion [(S)P(μ-N^tBu)₂P(Se)N^tBu]²⁻, and unique insight into the mechanisms of cis/trans isomerism in phosph(iii)- and phosph(v)-azanes.

A versatile hard–soft N/S-ligand for metal coordination and cluster formation

The new ligand [S-P(μ-N^tBu)]₂²⁻ has adaptable hard–soft character with respect to the coordinated metal centre and can be used to construct large cage architectures.

Spirocyclic, macrocyclic and ladder complexes of coinage metals and mercury with dichalcogeno P2N2-supported anions

Reactions of the dianions [^tBuN(E)P(μ-N^tBu)]₂²⁻ (E = Se,S) with M(i) reagents (M = Ag, Au) or HgCl₂ produce complexes of [^tBu(H)N(E)P(μ-N^tBu)₂P(E)N^tBu]⁻ with spirocyclic, macrocyclic or ladder structures.

Steric C–N bond activation on the dimeric macrocycle [{P(μ-NR)}2(μ-NR)]2

The dimeric macrocyclophosphazane [{P(μ-N^tBu)}₂(μ-N^tBu)]₂ ( 1) was reacted with elemental selenium. An unexpected C–N cleavage reaction occurred producing P₄(μ-N^tBu)₃(μ-NH)₃Se₄ ( 2). The C–N bond cleavage is driven by the high steric ring strain present within the ring.

Quaternization and oxidation reactions of cyclodiphosphazane derivatives and their copper(I) and gold(I) complexes

The reactions of cyclodiphosphazane derivatives cis-{(t)BuN(H)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2PN(H)(t)Bu} (1), cis-{MeN(C4H8N)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(NC4H8Me)} (2) and {(Me2NCH2CH2O)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(OCH2CH2NMe2)} (3) with methyl iodide and methyl triflate and their subsequent reactions with elemental sulfur and selenium are reported. Interestingly, the reactions of 1-3 with an excess of methyl iodide resulted in quaternising only one phosphorus atom in cis-[{(t)BuNHP(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(CH3)NH(t)Bu}](I) (4), two exocyclic nitrogen atoms and one of the phosphorus atoms in cis-{(Me2NC4H8N)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(CH3)(NC4H8NMe2)}](I)3 (7) and only two exocyclic nitrogen atoms in cis-[{(Me3NCH2CH2O)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(OCH2CH2NMe3)}](I)2 (8). The reaction of 1 with one equiv. of methyl triflate produced cis-[{(t)BuN(H)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(CH3)N(H)(t)Bu}]OTf (5), whereas the same reaction in a 1 : 2 molar ratio afforded cis-{(t)BuN(H)P(CH3)(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(CH3)N(H)(t)Bu}(OTf)2 (6). Compounds 4 and 5 showed poor solubility in water, whereas 7 and 8 were high melting crystalline solids with moderate to good water solubility. Treatment of 4 with either elemental sulfur or selenium gave both cis- and trans-chalcogenide derivatives. Similar reactions of 7 and 8 produced both mono- and bischalcogenides. Reactions between 4 or 7 and CuI yielded dinuclear complexes, cis-[{Cu2(μ-I)3((t)BuN(H)P)(μ-N(t)Bu)2(P(CH3)N(H)(t)Bu)]2}(I)] (15) and cis-[{Cu2(μ-I)3[(Me2NC4H8N)P(μ-N(t)Bu)2P(CH3)(NC4H8NMe2)]2}(I)5] (16), while the reaction of 8 with CuI produced a coordination polymer [{Cu2(μ-I)3(μ-N(t)BuP)2(OCH2CH2NMe3)2}I]∞ (17), containing triiodo-bridged [Cu2(μ-I)3] linkers. The molecular structures of several of these compounds were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The Cu(I)···Cu(I) distance of 2.55 Å in 15 is quite short and is the same as that found in copper metal and also in complexes containing [Cu2(μ-I)3] linkers. All the metal complexes exhibit strong intra-, inter- or both intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding interactions.

Planar P(6)E(6) (E = Se, S) macrocycles incorporating P(2)N(2) scaffolds

Oxidation of alkali metal derivatives of the dianions [E((t)BuN)P(μ-N(t)Bu)(2)P(N(t)Bu)E](2-) (E = S, Se) with I(2) produces 15-membered macrocycles in which a planar P(6)E(6) motif is stabilised by perpendicular P(2)N(2) scaffolds.

Cyclodiphosphazanes with Hemilabile Ponytails: Synthesis, Transition Metal Chemistry (Ru(II), Rh(I), Pd(II), Pt(II)), and Crystal and Molecular Structures of Mononuclear (Pd(II), Rh(I)) and Bi- and Tetranuclear Rhodium(I) Complexes

Cyclodiphosphazanes having hemilabile ponytails such as cis-[(t)()BuNP(OC(6)H(4)OMe-o)](2) (2), cis-[(t)()BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)OMe)](2) (3), cis-[(t)BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)SMe)](2) (4), and cis-[(t)BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)NMe(2))](2) (5) were synthesized by reacting cis-[(t)()BuNPCl](2) (1) with corresponding nucleophiles. The reaction of 2 with [M(COD)Cl(2)] afforded cis-[MCl(2)(2)(2)] derivatives (M = Pd (6), Pt (7)), whereas, with [Pd(NCPh)(2)Cl(2)], trans-[MCl(2)(2)(2)] (8) was obtained. The reaction of 2 with [Pd(PEt(3))Cl(2)](2), [{Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)Cl(2)](2), and [M(COD)Cl](2) (M = Rh, Ir) afforded mononuclear complexes of Pd(II) (9), Ru(II) (11), Rh(I) (12), and Ir(I) (13) irrespective of the stoichiometry of the reactants and the reaction condition. In the above complexes the cyclodiphosphazane acts as a monodentate ligand. The reaction of 2 with [PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) afforded binuclear complex [(PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5)))(2){((t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)OMe-o))(2)-kappaP}] (10). The reaction of ligand 3 with [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) in 1:1 ratio in CH(3)CN under reflux condition afforded tetranuclear rhodium(I) metallamacrocycle (14), whereas the ligands 4 and 5 afforded bischelated binuclear complexes 15 and 16, respectively. The crystal structures of 8, 9, 12, 14, and 16 are reported.

First transition-metal complexes of SP(NHBut)3

The first transition-metal (Rh(I), Mo(VI), Ni(II)) complexes of S[double bond, length as m-dash]P(NHBu(t))(3) have been synthesized via metathetical reactions of mono-lithiated and [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2), (Bu(t)N)(2)MoCl(2)(dme) and NiBr(2)(dme). Surprisingly in the molecular structure of the Ni(II)-complex both hard-soft (N,S) and hard-hard (N,N[prime or minute]) chelation modes of are realized.

Lithiation of tris(alkyl- and arylamido)orthophosphates EP[N(H)R]3 (E = O, S, Se): imido substituent effects and P=E bond cleavage

In the solid state, OP[N(H)Me](3) (1a) and OP[N(H)(t)Bu](3) (1b) have hydrogen-bonded structures that exhibit three-dimensional and one-dimensional arrays, respectively. The lithiation of 1b with 1 equiv of (n)BuLi generates the trimeric monolithiated complex (THF)[LiOP(N(t)Bu)[N(H)(t)Bu](2)](3) (4), whereas reaction with an excess of (n)BuLi produces the dimeric dilithium complex [(THF)(2)Li(2)OP(N(t)Bu)(2)[N(H)(t)Bu]](2) (5). Complex 4 contains a Li(2)O(2) ring in an open-ladder structure, whereas 5 embraces a central Li(2)O(2) ring in a closed-ladder arrangement. Investigations of the lithiation of tris(alkyl or arylamido)thiophosphates, SP[N(H)R](3) (2a, R = (i)Pr; 2b, R = (t)Bu; 2c, R = p-tol) with (n)BuLi reveal interesting imido substituent effects. For the alkyl derivatives, only mono- or dilithiation is observed. In the case of R = (t)Bu, lithiation is accompanied by P-S bond cleavage to give the dilithiated cyclodiphosph(V/V)azane [(THF)(2)Li(2)[((t)BuN)(2)P(micro-N(t)Bu)(2)P(N(t)Bu)(2)]] (9). Trilithiation occurs for the triaryl derivatives EP[N(H)Ar](3) (E = S, Ar = p-tolyl; E = Se, Ar = Ph), as demonstrated by the preparation of [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SP(Np-tol)(3)]](2) (10) and [(THF)(4)Li(3)[SeP(NPh)(3)]](2) (11), which are accompanied by the formation of small amounts of 10.[LiOH(THF)](2) and 11.Li(2)Se(2)(THF)(2), respectively.

Synthesis and X-ray structures of dilithium complexes of the phosphonate anions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O, S, Se, Te) and dimethylaluminum derivatives of [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)](-) (E = S, Se)

The dilithium salts of the phosphonate dianions [PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)](2-) (E = O, S, Se) are generated by the lithiation of [PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2)] with n-butyllithium. The formation of the corresponding telluride (E = Te) is achieved by oxidation of [Li(2)[PhP(N(t)Bu)(2)]] with tellurium. X-ray structural determinations revealed dimeric structures [Li(THF)(2)[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](2) in which the monomeric units are linked by Li-E bonds. In the case of E = Se or Te, but not for E = S, transannular Li-E interactions are also observed, resulting in a six-rung ladder. By contrast, for E = O, this synthetic approach yields the Li(2)O-templated tetramer [(THF)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4).Li(2)O in THF or the tetramer [(Et(2)O)(0.5)Li(2)[PhP(O)(N(t)Bu)(2)]](4) in diethyl ether. The reaction of trimethylaluminum with PhP(E)(NH(t)Bu)(2) produces the complexes Me(2)Al[PhP(E)(N(t)Bu)(NH(t)Bu)] (E = S, Se), which were shown by X-ray crystallography to be N,E-chelated monomers.

Syntheses and X-ray structures of potassium derivatives and a paramagnetic nickel(II) complex of a cyclodiphosph(III/V)azane monoselenide

The cyclodiphosph(III/V)azane monoselenide [(t)Bu(H)N(Se)P(micro-N(t)Bu)(2)PN(H)(t)Bu] (6, H(2)cdppSe where cdpp = cyclodiphosphazane) is obtained in quantitative yield from the comproportionation reaction of equimolar amounts of H(2)cdpp (7) and H(2)cdppSe(2) (3) in toluene at 85 degrees C. The X-ray structures of 3 and 6 reveal that both the monoselenide and the diselenide adopt a cis,endo,exo arrangement of the (t)BuNH groups. Metalation of 6 with 1 equiv of KO(t)Bu or 2 equiv of KCH(2)Ph in THF produces [(THF)K[HcdppSe]](2) (8) or [[(THF)(2)K](2)[cdppSe]](2) (9), respectively. The initial deprotonation involves the (t)BuNH group attached to the P(V) center in 6. In the dimeric structure of 8, both of the monoanionic ligands are bis-N,Se-chelated to the two K(+) cations to give a distorted K(2)N(2)Se(2) octahedron. In the centrosymmetric dimer 9, the dianionic ligands adopt two different coordination modes to the bis-solvated K(+) ions, viz., tridentate N,N',N" coordination and N,Se-chelation involving both exo- and endocyclic nitrogen atoms. The dimer is linked through K-Se interactions. The reaction of 2 equiv of 8 with NiCl(2)(PMe(3))(2) in THF produces [Ni(HcdppSe)(2)], which has a distorted tetrahedral structure and exhibits anomalous (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR chemical shifts owing to the proximity of the paramagnetic Ni(II) center.