A substituent-tolerant synthetic approach to N/P-“loaded” heteroarenes

Abstract

Tetrazines react with OCP⁻¹ through a reverse electron demand Diels–Alder process to produce 3,6-disubstituted-1,2,4-diazaphosphinin-5-olates. DFT calculations reveal that both Diels–Alder and subsequent aromatization barriers are low for both EWG and ED tetrazine substituents. The structure of the solid sodium salt shows the interaction of Na⁺ with aryloxide and also both nitrogens of a neighboring anion, leading to coordination polymer character. 1,2,4-Diazaphosphinin-5-olates react as nucleophiles towards MeI and R₃SiCl, respectively, and were installed on the (Ph₃P)₂Ru(CO)H fragment to investigate their properties as ligands.