ChemInform Abstract: Heterobifunctional Phosphorus-Nitrogen Compounds: Iminophosphoranophosphines and Their Complexes

Heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds have been prepared by oxidizing one phosphorus atom of a bis(phosphine) with azides. A variety of backbone structures have been used with one and two carbon chains, saturated and unsaturated structures and RN. Some degree of steric control appears to limit the extent of oxidation in cis bis(phosphines) with rigid backbones. Trimethylsilyl azide gives silylated iminophosphoranes with a reactive functionality on the imine nitrogen which can be replaced via metathetical elimination of Me3SiX or converted to the trimethylsiloxy metal derivative by rearrangement of the trimethylsilyl group to terminal oxygen of a highly oxidized metal oxo precursor. Structural features of several examples of the heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds and their derivatives are described.