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. 2021 Aug 26;143(35):14065–14070. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c06228

The Phospha-Bora-Wittig Reaction

Andryj M Borys 1, Ella F Rice 1, Gary S Nichol 1, Michael J Cowley 1,*
PMCID: PMC8431359  PMID: 34437805

Abstract

graphic file with name ja1c06228_0005.jpg

We report the phospha-bora-Wittig reaction for the direct preparation of phosphaalkenes from aldehydes, ketones, esters, or amides. The transient phosphaborene Mes*P=B–NR2 reacts with carbonyl compounds to form 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetanes, analogues of oxaphosphetane intermediates in the classical Wittig reaction. 1,2,3-Phosphaboraoxetanes undergo thermal or Lewis acid-promoted cycloreversion, yielding phosphaalkenes. Experimental and density functional theory studies reveal far-reaching similarities between classical and phospha-bora-Wittig reactions.

Phosphaalkenes are closely related to alkenes.1 The similar electronegativity of carbon and phosphorus makes C=P π-bonds structurally and chemically similar to alkenes, albeit with narrower HOMO–LUMO gaps as a result of the weaker 2p-3p π-bond.1 Because the replacement of C=C with C=P units alters frontier orbital energies without significantly polarizing the π-system, phosphaalkenes are attractive “building blocks” for main-group π-conjugated molecules and materials.2 Their advance from laboratory curiosity to chemical workhorse has also seen phosphaalkenes used as ligands for transition-metal catalyzed transformations,3,4 and incorporated into inorganic polymers.5,6

The first preparations of phosphaalkenes exploited 1,3-silyl migration7 or elimination chemistry,8−10 necessitating preformed P–C σ-bonds.11 Synthetically, it is more convenient to install the “RP=” functionality in one step at a late stage. The direct synthesis of phosphaalkenes from carbonyl compounds, akin to the Wittig reaction, is therefore particularly attractive due to the availability and synthetic access to suitable carbonyl precursors. The first phospha-Wittig reagent, reported by Mathey in 1988,12,13 enables just such a conversion (I, Figure 1a).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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(a) Selected phospha-Wittig reagents; (b) the phospha-bora-Wittig reaction reported here.

Several “phospha-Wittig”2,14 reagents are now available. These compounds can be viewed as phosphinidenes coordinated by a Lewis base and/or to a Lewis acid. Organometallic terminal phosphinidene complexes (e.g., Cp2Zr=PMes*(PMe3), II) can be used to prepare phosphaalkenes from aldehydes or ketones.15−17 Phosphoranylidenephosphines (ArP=PMe3 ↔ ArP–-P+Me3)18,19 (III) perhaps bear the closest resemblance to classical Wittig reagents (R2C=PPh3 ↔ R2C––P+Ph3), given the closely related resonance forms, and the common phosphine-oxide byproduct.

Despite the similarities between the Wittig and “phospha-Wittig” reaction, the latter is less well-developed and understood. Few mechanistic studies have been made.20,21 Furthermore, the reported “phospha-Wittig” reagents can be unstable or challenging to prepare. Phosphinidene transfer reactions are generally limited to aldehydes or activated carbonyl compounds. A widely applicable method of preparing phosphaalkenes directly from a range of carbonyl compounds remains desirable.

We have recently demonstrated that transient phosphaborenes [Mes*P=BNR2] (Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl; NR2 = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) can be accessed in solution and subsequently trapped by unsaturated compounds including phenylacetylene to give the corresponding formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition product.22 In 1986, Nöth and Glaser reported that transient methyleneboranes [R2C=BNR’2] undergo a Wittig-type reaction with ketones to give the corresponding alkene.23 Considering the isoelectronic relationship between CR2 and PR, and the reported reactivity of phosphinoboranes R2PBR’2 with C=O bonds,24−26 we suspected that that phosphaborenes might be used to prepare phosphaalkenes.

Here, we report the development of the “phospha-bora-Wittig” reaction (Figure 1b). Using the stabilizing Mes* substituent at P, we demonstrate the synthesis of known and novel phosphaalkenes directly from a wide range of carbonyl compounds including ketones, aldehydes, esters and amides. We show that the reaction proceeds by a stepwise cycloaddition/cycloreversion mechanism, analogous to that considered operative in the classical Wittig reaction.27

We initially investigated the reaction of diphosphadiboretane 1 with benzophenone. Heating 1 with two equivalents of benzophenone in C6D6 at 80 °C resulted in consumption of all starting materials and the emergence of new resonances at δ 15.4 and 38.6 in the 31P and 11B NMR spectra respectively (reactions with 1 equiv of ketone lead to lower yields of product due to increased thermal decomposition of 1). X-ray diffraction experiments on crystalline product confirmed the identity of the formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition product as 2a (Figure 2). 2a is analogous to the oxazaboretidines obtained from the reaction of iminoboranes with ketones and aldehydes.28 No evidence of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition product of 1 and benzophenone was observed, in contrast to the behavior of diazodiboretanes ([RBNR]2).29

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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(a) Preparation of 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetanes 2a–e and their subsequent conversion into phosphaalkenes 3a–e. (Mes* = 2,4,6-tritert-butylphenyl; NR2 = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino). (b) Structure of 2a; thermal ellipsoids at 50% probability, and hydrogen atoms omitted.51

Diphosphadiboretane 1 also reacts cleanly with acetone, forming the dimethyl 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetane, 2b. In contrast (to P=B), N≡B bonds react with the enol tautomer of acetone by 1,2 addition.30 9-Fluorenone, isobutyraldehyde, or benzaldehyde also react with 1, forming 2c–2e. Aldehyde-derived 2d/2e have stereogenic P and C centers in their central PBCO ring. Only one of the expected two pairs of diastereomers of 2d/2e was observed spectroscopically; either 2d and 2e are formed stereospecifically or inversion at phosphorus is facile. 2a–e were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (see the Supporting Information (SI)).

1,2,3-Phosphaboraoxetanes 2a–e are reminiscent of the four-membered oxetane intermediates in the classical Wittig reaction.27 We thus considered that their conversion into phosphaalkenes may be possible. Elimination of the O=BNR2 fragment and its subsequent oligomerization would provide a thermodynamic incentive through B–O bond formation. The likelihood of such an elimination appears increased upon examination of the structures of 2a–e. For example, the structure of 2a (Figure 2b) reveals a planar, strained, central PBCO ring. The internal angles at C1 (92.07(8)°) and B1 (94.10(9)°) are particularly narrow. The NR2 substituent at B1 is oriented to allow B=N π-bonding, leading to the short B1–N1 distance (1.410(2) Å).

We did not observe thermal elimination of phosphaalkenes from the 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetanes 2a–e, even at elevated temperatures. However, addition of AlBr3 (1 equiv) immediately converted 2a–e into their corresponding phosphaalkenes 3a–e. The major initial boron-containing byproduct resonates at δ 20.0 in the 11B NMR spectrum. Subsequent addition of pyridine (to sequester AlBr3) led to the replacement of this signal with one at δ 22.3. After separation from the phosphaalkene product, the boron-containing byproduct was identified by NMR and mass spectrometry as [R2NBO]3.23 Al(III) halides promote the intramolecular decomposition of Mes*-substituted phosphaalkenes.31 We did not observe such reactivity except with superstoichiometric (to 2a–e) quantities of AlBr3. A preference for AlBr3 complexation of [R2NBO]3 (consistent with the 11B NMR signal at δ 20.0) over coordination to phosphaalkenes is thus likely. Conversion of 2a–e to phosphaalkenes could also be achieved more economically with substoichiometric quantities of AlBr3 (see the SI).

Phosphaalkenes 3a–e are conveniently prepared in one pot from 1 and the corresponding ketone or aldehyde. After the formation of the 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetanes 2a–e (80 °C, 2 h), AlBr3 addition affords known and novel phosphaalkenes 3a–e in good purity and yield (Figure 2a, 53–95%). Fluorenylidene phosphaalkenes (e.g., 3c) are promising components for organic materials based on their optoelectronic and redox properties.32−36

When diphosphadiboretane 1 was reacted with esters in place of ketones/aldehydes, direct conversion to the 2-alkoxy-phosphaalkene products occurred (Figure 3). For example, the reaction of 1 and ethyl acetate led to the new phosphaalkene 4a as a mixture (22:78) of E and Z isomers, identified by signals in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum at δ 120.1 and 104.4. 11B NMR spectroscopy revealed the formation of [R2NBO]2,37 indicated by a resonance at δ 28.1, which we confirmed crystallographically. Monitoring the reaction of 1 and ethyl acetate by NMR spectroscopy revealed that it proceeds through a transient 1,2,3-phosphaboraoxetane intermediate: signals at δ −115.7 (31P{1H}) and δ 39.0 (11B) are consistent with those for 2a–e (Figure S1). We extended the reaction of esters with 1 to α-pyrone to afford the exocyclic phosphaalkene 4b as a mixture (58:42) of E and Z isomers. We also prepared the known 2-aminophosphalkene 4c(37,38) from 1 and N,N-dimethylacetamide. Phosphaalkenes 4a–c were easily isolated in high purity and yield (70–91%).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Synthesis of phosphaalkenes 4a–c directly from esters and amides (Mes* = 2,4,6-tritert-butylphenyl; NR2 = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino).

We used density functional theory calculations (M06-2X/def2svp)39 to probe the mechanism of the reaction of 1 with carbonyl compounds. The first step in the reaction pathway (Figure 4) is the dissociation of 1 into the monomeric phosphaborene INT-1.22 Phosphaborenes have orthogonal P=B and B=N π systems and can exhibit both nucleophilic (at P) and electrophilic (at B) reactivity.22 For the initial interaction with acetone, we thus considered the (i) formation of a betaine-like intermediate27 by the attack of P at the carbonyl carbon and (ii) interaction of the carbonyl oxygen atom with boron. We could not locate a betaine-type structures as minima. Instead, phosphaborene INT-1 and acetone react via TS1acetone (+20.07 kcal mol–1) to form acetone adduct INT-2acetone (+20.10 kcal mol–1).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Computed reaction profiles for the reactions of 1 with acetone and acetamide (M06-2X/def2svp), ΔG298 (ΔH) in kcal mol–1.

Coordination of acetone to boron in INT-2acetone lengthens C=O and P=B bond distances, increasing electrophilicity at the carbonyl carbon (C–O distance: 1.24 Å vs acetone, 1.20 Å) and nucleophilicity at the phosphorus center (P–B distance: 1.82 Å vs INT-1 1.75 Å). As a result, intramolecular attack of the phosphorus center at the carbonyl carbon occurs via the very early transition state TS-2acetone (+22.32 kcal mol–1), closing the 4-membered ring. The resulting isolable phosphaoxaboretane 2b is substantially stable relative to its precursors (−22.42 kcal mol–1).

Phosphaborene INT-1 and acetamide follow an alternative pathway. Attempts to optimize acetamide counterparts of adduct INT-2acetone minimized only to INT-1 and acetamide. INT-1 and acetamide instead react by cycloaddition through TS-2acetamide (+12.08 kcal mol–1) to form the phosphaoxaboretane P(R)-C(S)-5c or its P(S)-C(R) enantiomer (−7.36 kcal mol–1). The amino-phosphaboraoxetane 5c can exist as two pairs of diastereomers due to stereogenic P and C centers in the 4-membered ring. P(R)-C(S)-5c is less stable than its diastereomer P(S)-C(S)-5c relative to 0.5 1 + acetamide (+0.99 vs −7.36 vs kcal mol–1. We could not locate transition states leading to P(S)-C(S)-5c or its P(R)-C(R) enantiomer from INT-1 + acetamide; inspection of TS-2acetamide reveals that inversion of either P or C centers would generate an unfavorable 1,2 steric interaction between Mes* and NMe2 groups. Experimental insight into the stereochemistry of the intermediates 5c is limited by the ready interconversion of E and Z-phosphaalkenes.40,41

Close inspection of the geometry of TS-2acetone and TS-2acetamide reveals that they adopt markedly different structures (Table S8). TS-2acetone is highly puckered (P–B–O–C torsion = 48.8°) with a much more fully formed B–O than P–C bond (B–O distance 1.561 vs 2a 1.386 Å [the B–O distance contracts −13%]; P–C 3.015 vs 1.921 Å [−57%]). In contrast, in TS-2acetamide the developing P–C and B–O bonds form synchronously (B–O: 2.055 vs 1.393 Å [−48%]; P–C: 2.947 vs 1.974 Å [−49%]). The developing PBCO ring is much flatter (P–B–O–C torsion = −24.2°).

Why is TS-2acetamide substantially lower in energy than TS-2acetone? We ascribe this to two factors: (i) The synchronous formation of P–C and B–O bonds in TS-2acetamide proceeds with a lesser decrease in B–N π-bonding as the P=B=N angle is distorted from away from linear in TS-2 (160° vs 129°). (ii) The more planar P–B–C–O ring in TS-2acetamide enables the formation of C–H···O hydrogen bonds between the amide oxygen and the methyl groups of the tetramethylpiperidine substituent at boron. The C–H···O distances and angles, and C=O···H angles in TS-2acetamide (2.2–2.3 Å, 125–130°, and 135–145°, Table S10) are ideal for interactions of this kind, whereas those in the puckered TS-2acetone are not (Table S9).42 Such interactions can amount to as much as 4 kcal mol–1 with optimum geometry.43

The second barrier for the cycloreversion of phosphaboraoxetanes 2b/5c to phosphaalkenes and transient [R2NBO] is much higher for 2b than it is for 5c (+38.77 vs +13.02 kcal mol–1). The high energy of TS-3acetone (+16.35 kcal mol–1) is consistent with the observed thermal stability of 2b, which requires the addition of AlBr3 to promote cycloreversion.

Examination of the structures of TS-3 reveal their asynchronous character: in both cases, compared to precursors 2a/5c, substantial C–O bond elongation (+51%, + 55%) is observed with only minimal P–B elongation (+14, + 4%, Table S11). This behavior strongly suggests that the lower energy of TS-3acetamide vs TS-3acetone can be attributed in part to stabilization of the developing positive charge at the carbon center by its NMe2 substituent. Alkoxy substituents can be expected to fulfill the same π-donor role, which explains the differing fates in reactions of 1 with amides/esters and ketones/aldehydes. Similarly, we propose that AlBr3 coordination to 2a–e lowers the energy of TS-3acetone by polarizing the C–O (and thus the forming C–P) bonds.

Our studies reveal deep and far-reaching mechanistic similarities between the reactions of 1 and carbonyl compounds and the Wittig reaction. We thus propose the term “phospha-bora-Wittig” to describe phosphaalkene-forming reactions of phosphaborenes with carbonyl compounds. In the Wittig reaction, the transition state for the cycloaddition of ylide (Ph3P=CHR) and carbonyl compound is subtly influenced by factors including 1,2 and 1,3 steric interactions in the cyclic four-membered transition state, dipole/dipole interactions, and C=O···H hydrogen bonds.27,44 1,2 Interactions play a role in the formation of 5c, though the importance of 1,3 interactions is negated by the two-coordinate nature of the P/B centers. CH hydrogen bonding in TS-3 is also observed. We also note the similarity to borata-Wittig reactions of borata-alkenes, [R2C=BR2]−, with carbonyl compounds.23,45−49

The classical Wittig reaction is limited in scope for esters/amides, generally requiring careful substrate modification to counteract the effect of the OR and NR2 substituents.50 This limitation is absent in the reactions of 1 with esters or amides. We ascribe this to the greater electrophilicity of the boron in RP=B=NR2 compared to the phosphorus center in phosphorus ylides, R3P=R2. We are currently working to extend the scope of this reaction to compounds with other substituents at phosphorus.

Acknowledgments

M.J.C. wishes to thank Dr. Tobias Krämer, Dr. Rafal Szabla, and Dr. Stephen Thomas for helpful discussions during this work. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. ERC-2016-STG-716315).

Supporting Information Available

The Supporting Information is available free of charge at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.1c06228.

  • Synthetic procedures, NMR spectra, and computational details (PDF)

  • XYZ coordinates (ZIP)

Accession Codes

CCDC 1913519 and 2088200–2088204 contain the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of charge via www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif, or by emailing data_request@ccdc.cam.ac.uk, or by contacting The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, UK; fax: +44 1223 336033.

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Supplementary Material

ja1c06228_si_001.pdf (4.5MB, pdf)
ja1c06228_si_002.zip (25.4KB, zip)

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