Abstract
We report the influence of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on the hydrolysis of a diphosphene TerP[double bond, length as m-dash]PTer (1; Ter = 2,6-Mes2C6H3; Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), a phosphorus-analogue of an alkene. The diphosphene 1 itself is completely inert towards water. However, NHCs have been found to activate 1 towards ready hydrolysis. While sterically less-encumbered NHCs react with 1 affording NHC-adducts which are in equilibrium with 1 in solution, sterically encumbered NHCs do not bind to 1 at all. Interestingly, in both of these situations hydrolysis of the P[double bond, length as m-dash]P motif proceeds efficiently. At low temperatures, sterically less-encumbered NHCs are catalytic while the sterically encumbered NHCs play a catalytic role at room temperature. To gain insight on this striking influence of NHCs on the hydrolysis of diphosphene detailed low-temperature 31P-NMR studies along with theoretical calculations have been carried out. In addition, systematic hydrolysis studies of all the NHCs used in this study have also been performed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
