Prev. Article Next Article Table of Contents Communication Coordination of an N-Heterocyclic Phosphenium Containing Pincer Ligand to a Co(CO)2 Fragmen

A tridentate pincer ligand featuring a central N-heterocyclic phosphenium (NHP⁺) donor has been coordinated to a Co(CO)₂ fragment to generate the Co NHP complex [PPP]Co(CO)₂ (2). The NHP unit adopts an unusual pyramidal geometry with a relatively long Co–P distance, suggesting a stereochemically active nonbonding phosphorus lone pair. Interestingly, treatment of 2 with trimethylamine N-oxide affords [P(P═O)P]Co(CO)₂ (3), in which the Co-bound central phosphorus donor has been oxidized to an unprecedented N-heterocyclic phosphinito species. The bonding and electronic properties of these complexes are discussed in the context of DFT and NBO computational data.

Reference: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/om200816p