Regioselective C8-metalation of N-phosphine tethered adenine derivatives via C8–H activation

Abstract

Two new adenine derivatives bearing a N-methylene (1) or N-ethylene (2) tethered diphenylphosphine group have been reacted with [M^IIICl₂Cp*]₂ (M = Ir, Rh) or [Ru^IIClCp*]₄. The formation of Werner-type phosphine complexes [3]–[6] and upon heating their subsequent rearrangement into complexes bearing an NH,NR-NHC^PRPh₂ chelate ligand in [7]Cl (M = Ir) and [8] (M = Ru) have been observed.