6.2 - Bicyclic and Polycyclic Systems with a Ring Junction Phosphorus Atom

Abstract

This chapter provides information on bicyclic and polycyclic systems with a ring junction phosphorus atom. Most bicyclic and polycyclic organophosphorus compounds have been synthesised as a result of the investigation of the reactions and properties of simpler compounds. The vast majority is alicyclic and very few fall into the aromatic class. Compounds which involve more than one heteroatom in the ring system — the additional atoms usually being oxygen, nitrogen and additional phosphorus atoms — abound and many are part of more complex ring systems. The heterocycles covered in this chapter have a very wide range of ring sizes, from very small fused-ring systems. Owing to the wide variety of ring systems available having a ring junction phosphorus atom, the range of structures covered in this chapter include tricyclic, polycyclic and caged compounds. The bicyclic systems have been covered first in this order followed by other fused heterobicyclic systems. The other ring systems have been discussed in order of decreasing ring size. Spiro compounds are also covered in the chapter. Within each section concerning a specific ring system, any nonsubstituted parent ring systems have been described first followed by compounds in order of the number of heteroatoms included in the heterocyclic ring system, and then in order of increasing saturation.