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Abstract Elemental white phosphorus (P₄) is well recognized as a critical precursor to organophosphorus compounds. However, regulatory constraints stemming from the toxic and pyrophoric nature of white phosphorus have significantly limited its accessibility. Herein is described a new approach to white phosphorus storage and release based on a unique example of photolytic reductive elimination of the tetrahedral P₄molecule from a mononuclear cyclo‐P₄molybdenum complex. The latter functions as an air‐stable, chemically‐deactivated source of white phosphorus. The system features efficient photo‐release of white phosphorus using inexpensive violet LED sources. Additionally, high‐yield recapture of unspent white phosphorus by the molybdenum center can be achieved by post‐photolysis heating at convenient temperatures. 

Abstract Relative to other cyclic poly‐phosphorus species (that is,cyclo‐P_n), the planarcyclo‐P₄group is unique in its requirement of two additional electrons to achieve aromaticity. These electrons are supplied from one or more metal centers. However, the degree of charge transfer is dependent on the nature of the metal fragment. Unique examples of dianionic mononuclear η⁴‐P₄complexes are presented that can be viewed as the simple coordination of the [cyclo‐P₄]²⁻dianion to a neutral metal fragment. Treatment of the neutral, molybdenumcyclo‐P₄complexes Mo(η⁴‐P₄)I₂(CO)(CNAr^Dipp2)₂and Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)₂(CNAr^Dipp2)₂with KC₈produces the dianionic, three‐legged piano stool complexes, [Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)(CNAr^Dipp2)₂]²⁻and [Mo(η⁴‐P₄)(CO)₂(CNAr^Dipp2)]²⁻, respectively. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies reveal a similarity to the classic η⁶‐benzene complex (η⁶‐C₆H₆)Mo(CO)₃regarding the metal‐center valence state and electronic population of the planar‐cyclic ligand π system.