The tuning of P-donor ligands: the aryl and other pendent group effects (PGEs) revisited

Abstract

Electronic and steric effects of P-donor ligands can be modified by varying the pendent groups attached to the phosphorus atoms. However, the so-called “Aryl Effects” of phosphites and other P-donor ligands that contain no aryl groups can be shown simply to be additional examples of electronic Pendent Group Effects (PGEs) by which effects are transmitted to the phosphorus atoms or through them. These effects are quite distinct from those caused by varying σ-donicity and π-acidity parameters, and are strictly proportional to the number of pendent groups of a particular type. In each case, the extent of the effect is determined by the difference between the actual property observed and that predicted on the basis that the ligand behaves in the same way as alkyl phosphines after allowing for steric and π-acidity effects. The PGEs are therefore unique to particular pendent groups and to the method of measuring their effects. They are not “parameters” in the sense of being generally applicable in Linear Free Energy Relationships. The PGEs of a variety of pendent groups are derived from the so-called “aryl effects” determined by Giering & Prock et al. for vertical ionization potentials (IPs) and some other properties of the P-donor ligands. In almost all cases the IPs are reduced by the PGEs, and the extent of the reduction (in eV) decreases in the sequence C₆F₅ (−0.67) ∼ Cl (−0.67) < Pyrr (−0.53) < Ph (−0.49) < OR (−0.19) < OCH₂CH₂Cl (−0.07) < etpb (−0.03) < N(C₄H₈) (+0.01). Different PGEs are found for other P-donor-dependent properties although they are simply related to each other.