Formation of a Bridging Phosphinidene Thorium Complex

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b09826
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17T20:54:47Z
• Authors: Andrew C. Behrle; Ludovic Castro; Laurent Maron; Justin R. Walensky
• Keywords: Phosphinidene; Isopropyl

The synthesis and structural determination of the first thorium phosphinidene complex are reported. reaction 2 equiv (C5Me5)2Th(CH3)2 with H2P(2,4,6-(i)Pr3C6H2) at 95 °C produces [(C5Me5)2Th]2(μ2-P[(2,6-CH2CHCH3)2-4-(i)PrC6H2] as well 4 methane, from deprotonation phosphine C-H bond activation one methyl group each isopropyl groups 2- 6-positions. Transition state calculations indicate that steps in mechanism P-H, C-H, then P-H to form phosphinidene.