Stepwise Expansion of a Cp*-Ring at Pentelidene Complexes and Stereoselective Formation of Triphosphines

Abstract

Stepwise opening and final removal of the η1-bound Cp* substituents in the bridged pentelidene complexes [Cp*E{W(CO)5}2] (E=P, As) occurs by the reaction with primary phosphines. Not only novel diphospha- and arsaphosphanorbornenes are obtained, but also diastereomerically pure complexed triphosphines. All reaction steps were monitored by NMR spectroscopy, and compounds structurally characterized.