Pascal Le Floch

A zirconocene–η2-phosphabenzyne complex as an intermediate en route to functional phosphinines

A (η2-phosphabenzyne)dicyclopentadienylzirconium–trimethylphosphine adduct is obtained as a stable complex by thermal loss of RH from a Cp2Zr(R)-2-substituted phosphinine (R = Me or Ph) in the presence of PMe3; CC and CO multiple bonds selectively insert into the Zr–C2(ring) bond of this complex.

Synthesis of functional 1,4-diphosphaindenes and their related anions

Treatment of a 1-zircona-4-phosphaindene complex with PBr3 affords a 1-bromo-1,4-diphosphaindene, which can be used as a convenient precursor for the preparation of the related 1,4-diphosphaindenyl mono- and tri-anions and (1R)-functional derivatives.

Alkylation of 2-bromophosphinines using lithium trialkylborohydrides

2-Bromophosphinines are converted into 2-ethylphosphinines by successive reactions with lithium triethylborohydride and iodine.

Synthesis of the parent phosphinine and phosphaalkyne by flash thermolysis of vinyldiallyl- and triallyl-phosphine

The parent phosphinine is obtained in ca. 40% yield by thermolysis of vinyldialiylphosphine at 700 °C at 10–3 Torr; under the same conditions, triallylphosphine mainly yields HCP which can be purified by trap-to-trap distillation.