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Dipnictenes of the type RPn=PnR (Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi) can be viewed as dimers of the corresponding pnictinidenes R−Pn. Phosphanylidene‐ and arsanylidenephosphoranes (R−Pn(PMe3); Pn=P, As) have been shown to be versatile synthetic surrogates for the delivery of pnictinidene fragments. We now report that thermal treatment of 1 : 1 mixtures of R−P(PMe3) and R’−As(PMe3) gives access to arsaphosphenes of the type RP=AsR’. Three examples are presented and the properties and reactivity of Mes*P=AsDipTer (1) (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu3‐C6H2; DipTer=2,6‐(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)2‐C6H3) were studied in detail. Solid state 31P NMR spectroscopy revealed a large 31P NMR chemical shift anisotropy with a span of ca. 920 ppm for 1 while computational methods were employed to investigate this pronounced magnetic deshielding of the P atom in 1. In the presence of the carbene IMe4 (IMe4=:C(MeNCMe)2) 1 is shown to be split into the corresponding NHC adducts Mes*P(IMe4) and DipTerAs(IMe4), which is additionally shown for diarsenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphaalumenes are the heavier isoelectronic analogs of alkynes and have eluded facile synthesis until recently. We have reported that the combination of a phosphinidene transfer agent, ArTerP(PMe3) (ArTer=2,6‐Ar2‐C6H3), with (Cp*Al)4 (Cp*=C5(CH3)5) afforded the phosphaalumenes ArTerPAlCp* as isolable, violet, thermally stable compounds. In here we describe attempts to utilize Mes*P(PMe3) (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu3‐C6H2) as a phosphinidene source in combination with different Al(I) precursors, namely DipNacnacAl (DipNacnac=HC[C(Me)NDip]2, Dip=2,6‐iPr2‐C6H3), (Cp*Al)4 and Cp3tAl (Cp3t=1,2,4‐tBu3‐C5H2). In all cases the formation of phosphaalumenes was not observed, however, their intermediate formation is indicated by formation of the dimer [Cp*Al(μ‐PMes*)]2 (2) and C−H‐bond activation products along the putative P=Al bond, giving unusual 1,2‐P,Al‐tetrahydronaphtalene derivatives 1 and 4, clearly underlining the role the sterically demanding group on phosphorus plays in these transformations. The reactivity studies are supported by theoretical studies, demonstrating a thermodynamic preference for the C−H activation products. Additionally, we show that there are potential pitfalls in the synthesis of Cp*2AlH, the precursor to make (Cp*Al)4 and give recommendations how to circumvent these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photo-isomerization of an isolable five-membered singlet biradical based on C, N, and P ([TerNP]2CNDmp, 2a) selectively afforded a closed-shell housane-type isomer (3a) by forming a transannular P–P bond. In the dark, the housane-type species re-isomerized to the biradical, resulting in a fully reversible overall process. In the present study, the influence of tBuNC on the thermal reverse reaction was investigated: the isonitrile acted as a catalyst, thus allowing control over the thermal reaction rate. Moreover, tBuNC also reacted with the biradical to form an adduct species ([TerNP]2CNDmp·CNtBu, 4a), which can be regarded as the resting state of the system. The reactive species 2a and 3a could be re-generated in situ by irradiation with red light. The results of this study extend our understanding of this new class of molecular switches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trapping of classical hydrogen pseudohalides (HX, X = pseudohalogen = CN, N3, NCO, NCS, and PCO) utilizing a phosphorus-centered cyclic biradicaloid, [P(μ-NTer)]2, is reported. These formal Brønsted acids were generated in situ as gases and passed over the trapping reagent, the biradicaloid [P(μ-NTer)]2, leading to the formation of the addition product [HP(μ-NTer)2PX] (successful for X = CN, N3, and NCO). In addition to this direct addition reaction, a two-step procedure was also applied because we failed in isolating HPCO and HNCS addition products. This two-step process comprises the generation and isolation of the highly reactive [HP(μ-NTer)2PX]+ cation as a [B(C6F5)4]− salt, followed by salt metathesis with salts such as [cat]X (cat = PPh4, n-Bu3NMe), which also gives the desired [HP(μ-NTer)2PX] product, with the exception of the reaction with the PCO− salt. In this case, proton migration was observed, finally affording the formation of a [3.1.1]-hetero-propellane-type cage compound, an OC(H)P isomer of a HPCO adduct. All discussed species were fully characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image shows the obtained phosphorus aluminium heterocycles as constellations with the compass representing the synthetic conditions used to navigate towards these synthetic targets, akin to how seafarers in earlier days navigated towards unknown destinations. Cover design by Louise Beer. More information can be found in the Research Article by Christian Hering‐Junghans and co‐workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphaalumenes, Phosphorus, Aluminium, C-H-Bond Activation, Ring Systems Cover Feature: On the Reactivity of Mes*P(PMe3) towards Aluminum(I) Compounds - Evidence for the Intermediate Formation of Phosphaalumenes (ChemPlusChem 8/2023) Keywords: Phosphaalumenes; Phosphorus; Aluminium; C-H-Bond Activation; Ring Systems EN Phosphaalumenes Phosphorus Aluminium C-H-Bond Activation Ring Systems 1 1 1 08/29/23 20230801 NES 230801 B The cover image shows b the obtained phosphorus aluminium heterocycles as constellations with the compass representing the synthetic conditions used to navigate towards these synthetic targets, akin to how seafarers in earlier days navigated towards unknown destinations. [Extracted from the article]

The reaction between [Ru2Cl2(μ2‐Cl)2(CO)6] and the biradicaloid [P(μ‐NTer)]2 proceeds under insertion of a Ru(II)Cl(CO)2 fragment into one P−N bond and addition of chloride to the adjacent phosphorus center. Thereby an unprecedented inorganic ruthenacycle is obtained that was investigated by single crystal X‐ray analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The reactivity of the complex in a halide‐pseudo‐halide exchange reaction and a coordination reaction were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]