Phosphino-boryl-naphthalenes: geometrically enforced, yet Lewis acid responsive P -> B interactions
Résumé
Three naphthyl-bridged phosphine-borane derivatives 2-BCy2, 2-BMes2, and 2-BFlu, differing in the steric and electronic properties of the boryl moiety, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic means. The presence and magnitude of the P → B interactions have been assessed experimentally and theoretically. The naphthyl linker was found to enforce the P → B interaction despite steric shielding, while retaining enough flexibility to respond to the Lewis acidity of boron.