Accessing multimetallic complexes with a phosphorus(i) zwitterion

Dalton Trans. 2017 Dec 12;46(48):17080-17092. doi: 10.1039/c7dt03844e.

Abstract

We present the synthesis of a zwitterionic triphosphenium molecule, tBu(C5H2)(PPh2)2PI (L), which can act as a single- or multidentate ligand with group 6, 7, 8 and 9 metal carbonyl complexes. Group 6, [M(CO)5L] complexes are formed under photolytic conditions, where the metal is bound at the P(i) center. In the case of Mo(CO)6, the bimetallic complex [M(CO)5LMo(CO)3] is generated, which features bonds to both the phosphorus(i) center and the cyclopentadienyl moiety of the molecule. Interestingly, group 7 and 9 metal carbonyl dimers generate bimetallic complexes in the form [M2(CO)nL], where both metal centers are bound at the phosphorus(i) center. A detailed analysis of these molecules is provided, including X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, infrared spectroscopy and computational investigations.