Electronic response of a (P,N)-based ligand on metal coordination

Abstract

The reaction of [(THF)Li{Ph₂PC(H)Py}] with ZnCl₂ in the presence of ZnO yields the zinc complex [Zn₃{Ph₂PC(H)Py}₄O] (1). Deprotonation of the phosphane Ph₂P(CH₂Py) with [Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] gives the iron complexes [{Ph₂P(CH₂Py)}Fe{Ph₂PC(H)Py}₂] (2) and [Fe{Ph₂PC(H)Py}{N(SiMe₃)₂}]₂ (3), depending on the ratio of phosphane. The solid state structures of the metal complexes illustrate the coordination flexibility of the [Ph₂C(H)Py]⁻-anion. Depending on the electronic requirements of the coordinated metal the anion acts as a (P,N)-chelating amide or C-coordinating carbanion with the P- and N-heteroatoms as donor bases.