The preparation and reactions of 1,6-diphosphatricyclo[4.4.4.0]tetradecanediium ditrifluoromethanesulfonate

Abstract

1,6-Diphosphatricyclo[4.4.4.0]tetradecanediium ditriflate, prepared by the reaction of 1,6-diphosphabicyclo[4.4.0]decane with 1,4-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)butane, is stable in acidic aqueous solutions and reaction with nucleophiles (X = F^–, MeO^–,H^–) gives products with X–P–P⁺ bonding, hydroxide ion giving the diphosphine monoxide but even this retains partial P–P bonding; the hydride adduct reacts with BuⁿLi to give 1,4-bis(phospholan-1-yl)butane rather than the expected 1,6-diphosphabicyclo[4.4.4]tetradecane.