Phosphino-boryl-naphthalenes: geometrically enforced, yet Lewis acid responsive P → B interactions

Inorg Chem. 2013 Apr 15;52(8):4714-20. doi: 10.1021/ic4003466. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

Three naphthyl-bridged phosphine-borane derivatives 2-BCy2, 2-BMes2, and 2-BFlu, differing in the steric and electronic properties of the boryl moiety, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic means. The presence and magnitude of the P → B interactions have been assessed experimentally and theoretically. The naphthyl linker was found to enforce the P → B interaction despite steric shielding, while retaining enough flexibility to respond to the Lewis acidity of boron.