Synthesis of a 1-Aryl-2,2-chlorosilyl(phospha)silene Coordinated by an N-Heterocyclic Carbene

Phosphasilenes, P=Si doubly bonded compounds, have received considerable attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties. We report on the synthesis and structure of a chlorophosphasilene coordinated by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), which has the potential of functionalization at the Si–Cl moiety. Treatment of a silylphosphine, ArPH–SiCl2RSi (Ar = bulky aryl group, RSi = Si(SiMe3)3) with two equivalents of Im-Me4 (1, 3, 4, 5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) afforded the corresponding NHC-coordinated phosphasilene, ArP=SiClRSi(Im-Me4) as a stable compound. Bonding properties of the P=Si bond coordinated to an NHC will be discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations.