Hydrophosphination-type reactivity promoted by bismuth phosphanides: scope and limitations

Abstract

Phenyl isocyanate inserts into the Bi–P bond of the terminal phosphanide Bi(NON^Ar)(PCy₂) (NON^Ar = [O(SiMe₂NAr)₂]²⁻ Ar = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) to afford the κ²N,O-phosphanylcarboxamidate complex. Liberation of the hydrophosphination product from the metal is achieved by reaction with HPPh₂. The diphenylphosphanide product, Bi(NON^Ar)(PPh₂), is however unstable and decomposes to generate reduced species, preventing catalytic turnover.