Insertion Reactions of Nitriles into the P-C Bond of [(1-C5Me5)P{W(CO)5}2] - A Novel Approach to Phosphorus-Containing Heterocycles

Abstract

Unexpectedly, nitriles are inserted at room temperature into the unstrained P-C bond of [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2]. Depending on the nitrile used, dihydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphinine and benzo-1,2-azaphosphole derivatives, which are stablized by [W(CO)5] moieties, are formed (see scheme). The synthesis of the azaphosphole is accompanied by an additional C-H activation at room temperature and offers a novel and straightforward synthetic approach to this class of compounds.