Synthesis of P-CPh3 Substituted Spirooxaphosphirane Complexes: Steric Effects Dominate the Product Formation

Abstract

The reaction of Li/Cl phosphinidenoid pentacarbonyltungsten complex 2 with cyclobutanone and 3-oxetanone led to new, stable spirooxaphosphirane complexes 3 and 4. In contrast, formation of O–H insertion products 5 and 6 was the preferred reaction pathway in case of cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone; this is in contrast to spirooxaphosphirane complex formation with sterically less demanding P-substituents. All complexes have been characterized by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analysis in case of 3 and 4.