Utilising an anilido-imino ligand to stabilise zinc-phosphanide complexes: reactivity and fluorescent properties

Abstract

A series of zinc complexes bearing the anilido-imino ligand [(o-C₆H₄{N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂)}{C(CH₃) = NC₆H₃ⁱPr₂})] [(L^Dipp)ZnX] has been generated. This includes two amide derivatives, [(L^Dipp)Zn(N{SiMe₃}₂)] and [(L^Dipp)Zn(NH{Dipp})] and two phosphanide derivatives, [(L^Dipp)ZnPCy₂] and [(L^Dipp)ZnPPh₂]. The chemistry of the phosphanide complexes towards chalcogens was examined, with sulfur, selenium and tellurium oxidising the phosphorus centre of the dicylohexylphosphanide complex [(L^Dipp)ZnPCy₂] to form [(L^Dipp)Zn(E)₂PCy₂] (E = S, Se, Te). Addition of tellurium to the diphenylphosphanide complex [(L^Dipp)ZnPPh₂] results in formation of Ph₂PPPh₂ and [(L^Dipp)ZnTeZn(L^Dipp)]. The absorption and emission properties of these complexes was examined and the quantum yields are highly dependent upon the non-ancillary ligand X.